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Blood Banks Running Low, Malaysia Needs AB-Type Blood Urgently

Blood Banks Running Low, Malaysia Needs AB-Type Blood Urgently

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The St. John’s Ambulance Malaysia (SJAM) is organizing a nationwide blood donation drive as Malaysia’s blood banks are running dry.

SJAM explained that the country is facing a severe shortage of the AB-type blood, which the organization says is at level “red”.

Other blood types are needed too, but the situation is less dire as they remain in “yellow” or “green” levels.

Blood types are determined by the presence or absence of certain antigens in the body and are divided into four major blood groups; A, B, AB, and O.

Understanding Blood Types
People who are AB negative can receive blood from all negative blood types, while AB positive people are known as “universal recipients” because they can receive blood from any blood type.
(Credit: Red Cross Singapore)

It is a well known fact that people with AB-type blood are quite unique.

In the United States, for instance, less than 4% of the population have AB negative blood, while people with AB positive blood are even more uncommon and found in less than 1% of the population.

And according to the National Blood Centre (PDN), in Malaysia, the most common blood type is O, followed by type A and B, and the rarest of all, type AB.

Previously, the Health Ministry (MOH) revealed that the country is in desperate need for blood as the nation’s blood banks supply was down by 40% as blood donations and collection efforts withered with the offset of the Covid-19 lockdowns.

So if you’re pumped up to help your fellow Malaysians and the country, now’s the time! SJAM will be hosting blood donation drives in 20 separate locations across the country.

(Credit: SJAM)

But, due to the pandemic, donors would be screened to ensure that they are free of Covid-19, and measures will be taken to safeguard the health and safety of everyone involved.

For more details you can head over to SJAM’s official website or social media pages.


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