POIC Emergency Mutual Aid Calls For More Blood Donors

LAHAD DATU: POIC Emergency Mutual Aid (PEMA) members consisting of companies in the POIC Lahad Datu here are calling out to more people to become regular blood donors.
A Blood Donation Drive is being organized jointly with the Lahad Datu Hospital and Lahad Datu Health Department. The Health Department basic health screening and mental screening is a value add to the drive.
The call came as a response to information from the Blood Bank, Lahad Datu Hospital here that the blood donors number is less in the east coast towns in Sabah and blood bank at the Lahad Datu District Hospital has been experiencing a drop in blood stock due to the effects from the movement restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This blood donation campaign is about HOPE. It is heartening to see so many reaching out in these challenging times regardless of race, religion, culture or education background. And it is HOPE that will help us all to overcome,” said Lynette Hoo, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of POIC Sabah Sdn Bhd and co-chair of a blood donation campaign which brings together the Department of Fire and Rescue and member companies of PEMA.
PEMA is a self-help community of companies within POIC Lahad Datu. The group was formed in 2014 under the guidance of the Fire & Rescue Department who regularly trained members in disaster prevention and relief through regular trainings, table talks and workshops.
The two-day blood donation campaign at the POIC Lahad Datu port here is expected to collect no less than 100 pints of blood.
The Lahad Datu Hospital hopes that more blood donors will donate voluntarily at the blood bank. At the same time, more facilities and equipment’s by the government to aid hospitals in organizing blood drives or campaigns.
“Sabah is one of the States with the highest number of Thalassemia patients in Malaysia. Many of these patients require regular blood transfusion, at least twice every month. More regular donors will help to increase blood supplies and provide for all the life-threatening conditions and operations in hospitals”, said Dr Tan Hee Ting, Deputy Director I, Lahad Datu Hospital.
“We are told of the lack of awareness about blood giving and the current shortage due to Covid, and we hope to be able to address both the short term need for blood and the longer- term need for wider awareness,” said Lynette Hoo, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of POIC Sabah Sdn Bhd, the developer of POIC Lahad Datu.
Meanwhile, Tuan Zulbada representing the Head of Tawau Zone said that PEMA has been an instrumental platform in promoting mutual emergency aid among companies in POIC Lahad Datu in providing manpower, logistics support and coordination of resources. At the same time, CSR programs such as blood donation is important just as saving lives in their line of work.
The Blood Donation Drive at POIC Lahad Datu opened on 23rd and will end on 25th November 2021 at 2pm. The organizer can be contacted at 089 883289.