Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, blood banks at hospitals around the country have reportedly been running low on supply.
Fears of the virus have forced many donors to stay away.
Recently the Blood Bank Hospital Umum Sarawak said it was an uphill task to find those with the blood group Rh17.
Rh17 is a blood group rarely found among Malaysians, but in Sarawak, this type of blood is common among a small group of the Bidayuh ethnic group.
Following reports that a pregnant mother in Johor Bahru was in need of the Rh17 blood type, Sarawakian, Pehan anak Majis came forward to lend a hand.
DARAH GANJIL DITERBANGKAN KE JOHOR BAHRU
Di Sarawak, antara kumpulan darah yang jarang ditemui atau mempunyai darah…
Posted by Blood Bank Hospital Umum Sarawak on Monday, 2 August 2021
He donated his blood which was sent to Johor Bahru for the use of pregnant women with the same blood group who would need to undergo Caesarean section.
Pehan’s blood was sent to the Johor transit at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and transported to Johor Bahru.
Sarawak Hospital explained that individuals who have a rare blood group can only receive blood from the same group.
“This is because if they receive blood from a different group of donors it can result in an acute blood reaction that can endanger the life of the patient.”
Hats off to Pehan who was kind enough to come forward at such a time.
