Experts Highlight the Urgent Need for Blood Donation in Malaysia and What We Can Do about This

WORDS DR FARZANA RIZWAN & DR IMAM SHAIK

FEATURED EXPERTS

DR FARZANA RIZWAN
Senior Lecturer
School of Medicine
Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences
Taylor’s University		 DR IMAM SHAIK
Senior Lecturer
School of Medicine
Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences
Taylor’s University

Blood transfusion is a lifesaving medical intervention for patients undergoing complex surgeries, experiencing blood loss due to trauma or childbirth, suffering from chronic illnesses and blood disorders, and even during cancer management.

VOLUNTARY BLOOD DONATION PROGRAMMES ARE CRUCIAL FOR MAINTAINING A SAFE AND ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF BLOOD AND BLOOD PRODUCTS
  • That said, currently only 2.2 % of Malaysians donate blood in a year, compared to 3.5–5% in the developed countries.
  • The pre-pandemic blood donation rate was 22.8 donors per 1,000 people, which declined to 19.7 to 22.5 donors per 1,000 population between 2020 and 2022.
  • However, the demand of blood and blood products has increased due to a rise in motor vehicle accidents and the increase in the number of transfusion-dependent patients.

According to our Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, the country needs more blood donors to maintain a ‘safe zone’ of blood stock to meet the nation’s daily demand of at least 2,000 blood bags.

The Ministry of Health targets 35 to 40 donors per 1,000 population by 2030.

HOW CAN WE ACHIEVE THIS TARGET?
  • Young people 17 years old and above are urged to come forward to help achieve this goal.
  • The community needs to choose the right direction, have a positive mindset, and move away from the myths and negative perception surrounding blood donation.
  • Seek guidance from the good practices that are in place in other countries. For example, we can focus more on ‘targeted recruitment’ to obtain donations from specific ethnic groups if there are certain blood groups that are difficult to find in others.
  • Adopt innovative methods of education and engagement of young students to promote school-, college-, and university-based blood donation drives.
  • The use of mobile apps to facilitate online bookings, reminders, re-scheduling, and appointment cancellation systems provides convenience to the community. The use of mobile technology in tracking the donor eligibility and getting donor feedback would be helpful to make blood donation experience more pleasant and smooth.
DO YOU KNOW THAT DONATING BLOOD CAN ALSO BE GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH?
  • Improves blood circulation to your tissues and organs.
  • Maintains iron balance—the difference between the amount of iron taken up by the body and the amount lost—in the body.
  • Reduces the risk of hardening and narrowing of the arteries from the accumulation of iron in the artery walls.
  • Reduces the risk of heart attack by reducing arterial blockages.
  • Reduces excessive iron in the blood and decreases the risk of certain cancers. Iron is a source of cancer-causing free radicals, which can damage cells and alter their functions.
  • A therapeutic phlebotomy—a procedure to reduce the excessive iron and number of red blood cells in the body—for individuals with blood diseases such as hereditary hemochromatosis, polycythemia vera, and other rare conditions.

Additionally, there are many medical privileges offered to donors in Malaysia, such as free outpatient treatment and hepatitis B vaccination, among others.

BECOMING A BLOOD DONOR IS A SIMPLE WAY TO CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR COMMUNITY

Check with local hospitals or blood donation centers to find out where and when you can donate your blood.

A Haematologist Explains Why You Should Consider Donating Your Blood

WORDS LIM TECK CHOON

FEATURED EXPERT
DR HO KIM WAH
Consultant Haematologist and Transplant Physician
Sunway Medical Centre
BLOOD DONATION SAVES LIVES

Blood transports oxygen and nutrients to the cells in every nook and corner of your body and carries waste products away from these cells for elimination.

While this seems like a simple statement, its importance cannot be understated. Your body cannot function properly when there is not enough blood in your body to perform its life-sustaining function.

“That is why blood donation is extremely crucial, especially for those born with hereditary blood disorders or have contracted blood cancers that prevent their bone marrow from producing healthy blood cells naturally,” says Dr Ho Kim Wah.

ARE THERE RISKS OF DONATING BLOOD?

According to Dr Ho, the risk of donating blood is fairly minimal as long as the donor fulfills the qualification to become a blood donor.

You can be a blood donor if you:

  • Meet the age criteria (between 17 and 60 years old).
  • Aren’t fasting.
  • Are within your ideal body weight range.
  • Have had more than 5 hours of sleep before donating blood.
  • Are physically and mentally sound.
  • Have no chronic diseases.

There may be other criteria, but don’t worry. You will be first examined by a medical officer to determine whether you are eligible to donate blood. You can also take the opportunity to ask the medical officer about any concerns you may have.

IS BLOOD DONATION A TAXING PROCEDURE?

Not particularly. The entire process of blood donation takes only about 30 minutes or so.

Dr Ho points out that after donating your blood, you will be advised to rest for at least 10 minutes.

You should have some light refreshments and to drink plenty of water in the meantime.

You should also avoid strenuous activities in the first 24 hours after blood donation, to avoid unpredictable fainting spells that can occur as a result of these activities.

“In any case, if you develop symptoms such as fever, chills, rigours, chest pain, sweatiness, itchiness, breathlessness, or any sense of uneasiness, you should notify the nurses or doctors immediately,” advises Dr Ho.

NO, THESE WOULD NOT HAPPEN IF YOU DONATE YOUR BLOOD!

Reduce your lifespan. No, this won’t happen.

Damage your internal organs. That’s not true.

Contract infections. Stringent measures are taken to avoid this.

Have your blood discarded and hence wasted when the blood bank has too much blood stored. Any surplus in a blood bank is transported to areas that are in need of such blood.

1 BAG OF DONATED BLOOD WILL SAVE 3 LIVES

“Take a stand and save a life,” Dr Ho urges.

To donate blood, you can visit the National Blood Centre at Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur or the state hospital nearest to you. You can also keep an eye out for mobile blood donation programmes visiting your neighbourhood from time to time.