Ong Ye Kung: Blood stocks still running low even after 1,700+ blood donors step up after appeal, so ‘eligible blood donor, please come forward’

Despite a 45 per cent increase in blood donations following a public appeal by Health Minister Ong Ye Kung last week, he announced that blood stocks are still “not at healthy levels.”

He urged eligible blood donors to come forward to help save lives.

“I made an appeal for more A+ and O+ blood donors last week,” said Mr Ong in a Facebook post on Thursday (July 14).

“Many thanks to the 1,700 over blood donors, of all blood types, who stepped forward to donate blood in the past 4 days!” he said, noting this was a 45 per cent increase from the usual collection and a “strong sign of unity and support from everyone.”

However, all blood stocks, including negative blood groups, are not at healthy levels yet and currently running low.

“So if you are an eligible blood donor, please come forward,” said Mr Ong.

He noted last week that 600 units of A+ blood and 1,200 units of O+ blood are needed over the next two weeks.

“Otherwise, major elective surgeries requiring these 2 blood units will have to be postponed.”

Interested donors can visit giveblood.sg to book an appointment or walk into any blood bank or community blood drives to donate.

Responding to the appeal, members of the public expressed concern at blood donations being received for free yet sold to those in need.

“Since good-hearted people donate for free, why don’t the authorities consider only charging a minimum admin fee to those who need blood transfusions,” said Facebook user Yanling Adeline. “Currently, people who need blood have been charged quite a large sum of money for using this donated blood.”

Meanwhile, others wondered if more slots could be created to speed up the process as all the slots are currently filled for the next two weeks.

/TISG

WP’s Jamus Lim, who donates blood at Anchorvale CC, praised for “leading by example”