Kota Kinabalu: The Ansara Sabah Chapter, together with the State Health Department, the Department of Blood Transfusion Medicine QE2 and the Sabah Transfusion Medicine Services, is launching the “Ansara Annual Statewide Pre-Ramadan Blood Donation Campaign Sabah Chapter” (ABDC25 Sabah Chapter).
This initiative, supported by Malaysia Relief Agency (MRA) Sabah Branch and various other partners, will take place across eight districts in Sabah - Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau, Semporna, Lahad Datu, Kudat, Ranau and Keningau.
AdvertisementThe campaign aims to collect 1,200 pints of blood to be distributed to hospitals throughout Sabah. It will be officially launched by State Health Director Dr Maria Suleiman on Feb 22, at 2pm, at ITCC Shopping Mall, Penampang.
The initiative coincides with the “Ansara/MRSM National Chapter 19th Annual Pre-Ramadan Nationwide Blood Donation Campaign,” which will be officiated by Chief Secretary to the Federal Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, on Feb 23.
SPONSORED CONTENT How Spritzer’s silica rich natural mineral water makes your skin healthier When it comes to skincare, the first thought on our minds would be beauty products such as serums, creams, and masks. However, beauty experts and even researchers have stated that drinking more water can be just as crucial for your skin's health. Read more The ABDC campaign was first introduced in 2007 in response to concerns over emergency blood shortages in hospitals during Ramadan, a period when blood donations typically decline.
Over the past 18 years, the campaign has successfully collected more than 100,000 pints of blood. Campaign Chairman, Abdul Kadir Abdullah, urged eligible donors to step forward, emphasising that only 2.5pc of physically capable Malaysians donate blood.
Advertisement“By making an appointment to donate blood, you help save three lives at once. “We hope that with every visit by donors in these eight districts, we can maintain adequate blood supply levels in hospitals and prevent shortages,” he said in a statement.
He stressed the importance of a stable blood supply, noting that “it is distressing to see hospitals full of patients but with empty blood refrigerators. Blood donations are essential, as they can mean the difference between life and death.”
Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});The campaign is made possible through the collaboration of various organisations, including KOKI (MRSM), Gabungan Persatuan Penjaja dan Peniaga Sabah (G3PNS), Pekesan, ITCC Kota Penampang, Mydin Sandakan, Seafest Semporna and Eastern Plaza Tawau, among others.
On behalf of the MRSM Sabah Chapter alumni, Abdul Kadir expressed gratitude to the State Health Department for partnership and to all participating organisations for their invaluable support. “This campaign is a collective effort, and we are hopeful it will be a great success,” he said.
Ansara is the alumni association for Mara Junior Science Colleges (MRSM). The first MRSM was established in 1972 in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan. Today, there are 57 MRSM institutions across Malaysia, including five in Sabah — Kinarut, Sandakan, Tawau, Semporna and the newest in Ranau, which was developed with sponsorship from Petronas.