Blood donation programmes are an important initiative that ensure the health of the public and the availability of sufficient blood supply in the country. However, it is a challenge to ensure that the blood bank is sufficient as active participation is needed from every segment of society, especially the youths and university students. Involvement from the youths in blood donation programmes is the key to forming a generation that is aware of the need for sufficient blood supply in the country’s blood bank.  

To increase the awareness of the global society, the World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced the World Blood Donor Day, celebrated on 14 June each year. The event is considered the best platform to increase the awareness regarding the importance of blood donation and to recognize volunteer blood donors who donate blood without expecting any rewards.

According to Terengganu Health Director Dato’ Dr. Kasemani Embong, the need for blood increases during public holidays and festive seasons.

“In Terengganu, the number of blood donors is more than 2%. However, we wish to increase the figure to at least 3% for the state and between 3.5 – 4% for the entire nation, as is the case for other developed countries.

Dr. Kasemani delivered a speech at a ceremony to officiate the 2024 World Donor Day and World Hearing Day celebration at the state level.

The event was held in collaboration with UMT’s University Health Centre and several other government and private agencies.

The centre’s director Dr Arnie A Rahim said the centre has introduced initiatives to encourage the youths and students to actively take part in blood donation programmes.

“The transfusion medicine department at Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital received a total of 2,500 blood bags from universities last year including UMT. We treat the blood donation programme as a periodical programme to be held up to 8 times each year.

“We have also set up a special award to a youth icon as part of the effort to attract more youths to donate blood, and a medal will be given to blood donors who have donated more than 10 time.  

The celebration of 2024 World Donor Day and World Hearing Day organized in collaboration with UMT for the first time became a platform for creating awareness regarding blood donation and encouraging the young generation to become future blood donors.

Original version in Malay by:

Amirul Salam Hasan

Corporate Communications Office

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

English version by:

Corporate Communications Office

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu