KUALA LUMPUR: The National Blood Centre received over 8,000 pints of blood from the Police over the past 18 years, marking a strategic collaboration between the two in serving the community.
Speaking at a blood donation programme to commemorate the 217th Police Day at Bukit Aman today, the National Blood Centre's deputy director 1, Dr Tun Maizura Mohd Fathullah, said 2,000 to 2,200 bags were required daily to treat around 1,000 patients.
"At the National Blood Centre alone, we require 600 to 700 bags daily to cater to 80 government and private hospitals.
"We hope all members of the police force will promote the importance of blood donation as a healthy activity to their friends and family members," she said.
Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, said in a speech read by the Criminal Investigation Department deputy director, Datuk Dennis Lim Kwang Keng, that the programme was not just an annual event but rather evidence of strategic collaboration between the police and the National Blood Centre.
"We are still facing challenges in dispelling stigma about blood donations, such as its potential health risks and side effects, including misconceptions about weight gain.
"The role of the police force in the community is not only limited to aspects of public safety and order, but also covers the noble cause of donating blood, which is also our social responsibility to the community," he said.
Razarudin encouraged members of the force not only to focus on donating blood during specific campaigns but also to allocate time to visit the National Blood Centre to donate blood.