COVID-19 Reduces PMI Blood Supply By 60 Percent

Jusuf Kalla (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) HM Jusuf Kalla stated that the blood donation process was very disturbed during the outbreak of the COVID-19 in Indonesia, so that it had an impact on the reduced blood stock in PMI.

"Blood donations have indeed decreased, especially in April and May," said Jusuf Kalla on the sidelines of visiting the PMI Aceh Province Headquarters in Banda Aceh, reported by Antara, Tuesday, December 29.

According to him, the decline was due to COVID-19 which required residents to do many activities at home, schools and universities were also closed so they had to carry out the teaching and learning process from home.

"Then there is the fear of the community, it coincides again with the fasting month (Ramadan 1441 hijriah), so it drops once. Our (supply) is only up to 40 percent than usual, "said Jusuf Kalla.

Nevertheless, said the former Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, PMI continues to make efforts to meet the blood needs of people throughout the archipelago.

He said, the blood stock in PMI has also begun to stabilize, thanks to the help of the Indonesian Military / Police throughout Indonesia who are disciplined in conducting blood donations so that they can increase the blood needs in each region.

"Alhamdulillah, with the help of the TNI / Polri, here (Aceh) ASN (State Civil Service) also moves blood donors so that it can increase availability," he said.

"Even though it is not 100 percent, it is already close to 70-80 percent, it is close to our needs. That's what we do, "he said.

Previously, Jusuf Kalla also invited all people in the country to raise awareness of blood donors during the COVID-19 pandemic because currently the number of donors has drastically reduced by 50 percent.

"In a pandemic like this, our concern must be put forward. Including awareness of blood donors. In Jakarta alone we need 1,000 bags of blood per day," said JK through a written statement received in Jakarta some time ago.