DONATE BLOOD AND REMAIN HEALTHY

By Nurulhidayah Rosly

KUALA LUMPUR, March 5 (Bernama) -- The apprehension over contracting
infectious diseases and fear of pain inflicted by the 'canula' (a tube that can
be inserted into the body, often for the delivery or removal of fluid) are among
the factors that prevent an individual from donating blood.

In the medical fraternity, it is common knowledge that donating blood is
good for the body as this stimulates the production of new blood cells while
those who are used to donating blood, they can testify that not much pain is
elicited during the procedure.

National Blood Centre (PDN) Director Dr Roshidah Hassan assures the public
that blood donation is safe as donors are required to provide their medical
history before undergong the procedure.

"After that, samples wil be taken where tests and screening are done to
ensure the blood is safe for recipients.

"The screening is to detect the presence of hepatitis B and C virus as well
as that of the HIV, syphylis and malaria. If they are found to have these, then
they will not be allowed to donate blood," she told Bernama in an interview.

Dr Roshidah dismisses the assumption that donating blood would make
infective diseases to spread as the needle and canula used are disposed while
other medical equipment are sent for re-sterlisation.

ENOUGH BLOOD

Even though the PDN has yet to be hit by a critical shortage of blood, the
centre encourages the public to donate blood in order for it to have a
consistent supply.

"Throughout the year, there is enough blood to meet the needs. The problem
only crops out during certain seasons like after a holiday," she said.

The blood reserves usually take a dip after a long festive holiday, end of
Ramadan apart from at the start, middle and end of the year.

There is an increase in demand for blood reserves due to the higher number
of public and private hospitals, Dr Roshidah said.

She said PDN needs more than 550,000 donations from nationwide to ensure its
blood reserves are maintained well.

"At the PDN alone, we are expecting 400-420 donations a day," she said,
adding that the centre supplies some 400 units of blood a day to hospitals and
clinics registered with PDN in the Federal Territory, Selangor, west Pahang and
Negeri Sembilan.

Dr Roshidah said PDN needs more than 2,500 units of blood for its reserves
at any particular time.

She said all types of blood - A, B, AB and O as well as that from the Rhesus
+ve or Rhesus -ve are welcomed as the blood is needed by patients.

SHORT LIFE

Dr Rosidah said there seems to a wrong perception about the shelf life of
the donated blood, leading to lack of interest in making donations.

"Many still think that the donated blood has long life and that is the
reason why some donors only donated their blood once as they think it is not
necessary to donate more.

"The life span of blood is limited and the red blood cells can only last for
42 days while the platelets, only five days," she said.

The PDN director said the blood is not only for accident victims but also
for chronic cases that needed blood transfusion such as thalassemia, renal
failure, cancer and leukemia apart from surgical cases.

NOT THE CAUSE OF OBESITY

Meanwhile, Dr Dinon Mohd dispelled the belief that donating blood could give
rise to obesity.

It could be due to other factors, the Chief Medical Officer at Universiti
Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) Medical Centre said.

"Obesity is not the consequence of blood donating. If obesity happens, then
it could be due to factors like genetics, emotion, nutrition, lack of physical
activities and others", Dr Dinon said.

Blood donating helps to reduce the risk of heart disaeses, said Kuala Lumpur
City Hall's Medical Officer for Kelang Lama Zone Dr Umi Ahmad.

"The body's efficiency in utilising the iron is boosted as this mineral salt
is needed to produce red blood cells. Donating blood helps to regulate the iron
content in the blood and reduces the collection of excessive iron in the heart,"
she said.

WHAT DONORS SAY?

For four-time blood donor Aimi Fazreen Abu Bakar, donating blood is painless
and not time consuming.

"Who said there is pain? Anyhow before the canulation, the nurse would apply
an anesthetic, therefore there is no pain at all. All that you realised is the
procedure has been completed," said the 27-year-old UIA undergraduate.

Rosdi Ishak, who has donated blood 25 times, said he plans to make the
practice his lifestyle.

"In a year, I would donate blood for several times at hospitals or mobile
clinics. To me, my life is incomplete without making this crucial donation," he
added.

-- BERNAMA