| MESSAGE BY YANG BERHORMAT DATO SERI SETIA DR HAJI ZULKARNAIN BIN HAJI HANAFI MINISTER OF HEALTH ON THE OCCASION OF WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY 14 JUNE 2017 THEME: "WHAT CAN YOU DO? GIVE BLOOD. GIVE NOW. GIVE OFTEN" - Blood donation is one of the most vital social service to the humankind. A normal and healthy person can easily donate blood many times between 18 and 60 years of age. Through blood donation, we can help various needy people and save their precious life. A single blood donation can save three lives. No matter how science and technology advances, to date, attempts made by scientists to develop artificial blood have not been successful.
- The slogan for this year's World Blood Donor Day - "What can you do? Give blood. Give now. Give often", focuses on blood donation in emergencies. In crisis or emergency situation, the natural human response is "What can I do? How can I help?". Blood loss resulting from traumatic injuries can lead to deaths. We would not want to wait until disaster strikes to donate blood. Being prepared is the way to go so that those in need will have an increased chance of survival.
- In 2016, Brunei Darussalam received a total of 13,037 blood donors including 3,495 registered new blood donors. Even with these numbers, the country at times still face the challenge of inadequate blood supply. We invite more blood donors in the country to come forward and become regular donors to ensure that this supply remains sufficient, safe and sustainable.
- Additionally, donating blood can help burn your calories and also prevents iron overloading in the blood. A reduction of the iron level in the body is linked to low cancer risk. Regular blood donation can reduce your risk of getting non-communicable diseases such as heart diseases and cancer.
- The Ministry of Health aims to support and strengthen health services' capacity for preparedness and response to emergencies, including the ability of having adequate supply on the demand for blood and blood products for blood transfusion on patients requiring emergency medical care. The Blood Donation Centre and Blood Banks in hospitals in all districts provide blood donation services in a comfortable and pleasant environment through a safe blood management system. We also continuously work with our partners in other government agencies, educational institutions, uniformed forces, the private sector and other non-government organisations (NGOs) to coordinate blood donation campaigns in the country.
- The global objective of today's World Blood Donor Day is very much relevant and well-aligned to the Ministry of Health's strategic priorities which are to drive the "Health is everyone's business" agenda, enhance the quality of service delivery and prevent & control non-communicable diseases.
- Every blood donor is a hero to all who receive the blood. Alhamdulillah, their blood donation is an incredible gift of life. The blood you give is a lifeline in an emergency and for people who need long-term treatments. In appreciation to the regular blood donations, the Ministry of Health would like to congratulate, honour and thank the efforts of the voluntary unpaid blood donors including our generation of young heroes who have courageously started to donate blood at the age of 17. Your donation is a life-saving donation!
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