In collaboration with the SG Northern Region Social Affairs & Recreation Bureau, Perak Community Specialist Hospital (PCSH) initiated a blood donation campaign in a socially distanced manner on Wednesday, May 20 which received overwhelming response. It was held in light of the urgent appeal by Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun (HRPB) and National Blood Centre to the public to donate blood as the COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in a massive reduction in the number of donors.
In just seven hours, about ninety people responded and PCSH successfully collected seventy-two packs of blood at the hospital lobby.
“The country’s blood bank stock is down by 60% because of the Movement Control Order (MCO) as well as in view of the fasting month that we are facing,” explained PCSH Chief Executive Officer, Nicholas Chan.
He added, “It was indeed a great success that our blood donation campaign managed to collect 72 packs of blood today. I would like to say a big thank you to healthcare personnel from HRPB and others who were involved to make this campaign a success.”
Spotted among the eager donors were staff of Bonanza Venture Holdings (BVH), responsible for Kinta Properties, Ban Hoe Seng Auto, Meru Valley Resort, Kinder Labz and ILTI.
Local employers play an equally crucial role in ensuring contributions to blood banks by making it easier for employees to donate blood. Thus, BVH encouraged its fit and healthy workforce to participate in the local blood drive by giving staff time off to donate.
BVH Corporate Affairs Manager, Evelyn Chen said, “We shared the urgent appeal for more people to give blood across our companies in Ipoh, many colleagues have come forward and have given blood. We will always do what we can to remove the challenges that can make it difficult for people to make a blood donation. Although it’s a very busy time of year, we encouraged colleagues to spare an hour to donate blood, which could help save a life.”
PCSH will jointly hold another similar campaign with the Ipoh Chinese Chin Woo Athletic Association on Sunday, June 7 at Wisma Chin Woo for those who have missed the drive on Wednesday. For more information, readers can contact PCSH Public Relations & Welfare Department at 016-523 9000.
