Lyna Mohamad
A few patients who will need blood transfusions are facing a lack of compatible supply due to autoimmune disease and antibodies, according to an officer from the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital Blood Donation Centre.
The centre has called on more people to come forward and donate blood to find one that is compatible to these patients, said the officer.
As part of the centre’s initiatives to reach more blood donors, the team have conducted blood drive campaigns out of office.
Some campaigns were initiated by the centre’s blood donation team while others were request from private sectors and associations.
Meanwhile, blood donation centres at hospitals in the country have resumed normal operations.
From Mondays to Thursdays and on Saturday, the blood donation centre at RIPAS Hospital operates from 8am to 11.30am and 1.30pm to 4pm.
The blood bank at Suri Seri Begawan Hospital in Kuala Belait operates from 8am to 11.30am and 1.45pm to 3.30pm and the Pengiran Isteri Hajjah Mariam Hospital Blood Bank in Temburong District operates from 9am to 11.30 am and 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
The public can donate blood at the nearest blood bank and is encouraged to reserve a slot for blood donation using the BloodKad app.
Meanwhile, the RIPAS Hospital Blood Donation team will conduct campaigns at Tricor (B) Sdn Bhd in Wisma Jaya at Jalan Pemancha in the capital on January 20, from 10am to 2pm, Maju Motors Sdn Bhd in Jalan Telanai on January 22 from 10am to 2pm and the Health Promotion Centre (HPC) in Jalan Commonwealth Drive on January 29, from 9am
to 1pm, which is organised by the Rotary Club Bandar Seri Begawan.