LAHAD DATU: Sabah is aiming to help spread blood donation and civic awareness in this district as it marks its fifth year of spearheading a blood donation campaign here.
Its Corporate Communications Manager, Malvina Flant, said the latest campaign, held over Feb 3-4, was the 15th consecutive one organised by the POIC Emergency Mutual Aid (PEMA) since its inception in 2014.
The campaign was held on the premises of Genting Biorefinery Sdn Bhd, a major investor at POIC Lahad Datu and a founding member of PEMA.
PEMA brings together volunteers, its members consisting of companies operating within the POIC Lahad Datu industrial park.
The members undergo regular firefighting training to enable them to function as first responders in emergencies occurring within the industrial park.
“PEMA promotes camaraderie, the sense of community and the spirit of mutual help, and we would like to promote the same to the wider community,” Malvina said on the sidelines of the latest campaign, which collected 99 pints of blood for the local blood bank here.
The Lahad Datu Hospital here has recently commended PEMA as a crucial source of blood in the district. Records showed that PEMA’s efforts have yielded more than 1,000 pints, not counting the latest campaign.
‘We like to think that we are making a difference. And judging from the enthusiastic response each year and participation from public donors, we believe we’ve managed to elevate awareness about donating blood.”
Meanwhile, Malvina said POIC Sabah acknowledged the vital participation of the companies and their loyal support of each PEMA activity.
She also acknowledged the pivotal role of the Fire&Rescue Department in equipping PEMA volunteers and continually upgrading their skills as first responders.
