JOHOR BARU: The blood donation rate in Malaysia is gradually improving after falling in the early years of the Covid-19 pandemic, says the Health Ministry, while adding that it still needs to increase.
Its director-general Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan said the blood donation rate in 2019 was 22.8 donors for every 1,000 people.
“However, the rate in 2020, 2021 and 2022 had dropped to only between 19.7 and 22.5 donors for every 1,000 individuals due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said in his speech during the National World Blood Donors and 75th anniversary of the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) celebration.
“This was not just a problem in Malaysia but worldwide as well, as there were restrictions during the pandemic,” he said at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre here yesterday.
The donation rate, however, started to improve in 2022 compared with 2021.
“In 2022, we had enough blood supply as we received 737,554 blood bags, an increase of 13.7% compared with the previous year.
“This is a proud achievement that was only possible with the support and cooperation of many groups, including donors and campaign organisers,” said Dr Muhammad Radzi.
He added that the ministry has set a target to increase the blood donation rate to between 35 and 40 donors for every 1,000 people by 2030.
“This is to fulfil our blood supply needs in line with the annual increase in population.
“We still have a long way to go and need to increase efforts to encourage more people to donate blood,” he said.
Dr Muhammad Radzi said blood transfusions could be needed at any time, such as in emergencies involving accidents and childbirth.
“At the same time, there are also patients with health conditions such as thalassemia, cancer, haemophilia and primary immunodeficiency that need blood transfusions on a regular basis,” he added.
