Donors for A, AB blood wanted - Dr Hilmi

The supplies of A and AB blood are not enough to meet the needs of patients especially in states which are affected by the floods, said Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya.

He said the people should donate blood immediately at the nearest Blood Donation Campaign Mobile Unit or the National Blood Centre because the supply of blood especially the A and AB groups was low.

"I urge the public to donate blood to help hospitals which are running low on A and AB blood. Donations can be made at any state and not only those affected by the floods.

"To date, other types of blood are adequate. But we don't have enough A and AB blood. They are inadequate and their usage especially in states which were affected by the floods is very critical," Dr Hilmi told reporters after launching the 2015 Births of New Year Baby Celebration at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL).

Prior to this, Dr Hilmi, accompanied by Disposable Soft Goods (DSB) (M) Sdn Bhd general manager Low Chooi Hoon and Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department deputy chief Dr T.P. Baskaran had visited several new year babies born since 12.04 am Thursday.

According to Low, the sponsorship of the baby diapers was held on a large scale for the first time as the product was said to be suitable for a new-born baby's sensitive skin especially at the navel which takes time to heal.

As of 3 pm Thursday, 15 babies were born, comprising eight males and seven females.

For young mother, Umi Kalsum Mohd Ghani, 31, who had been married to Zamri Razali, 27, for more than a year, their son was the first to be born at HKL.

"My son was born at 12.04am. Thank God, he is normal with a weight of 2.3 kg. We name him Izz Harraz Aisy, which means Strength, The Very Pious and Wealthy," said Umi Kalsum, who is from Sentul.

A nurse from the Datuk Keramat Health Clinic, Noor Adzwani Esa, 28, felt happy and fortunate after delivering her second baby on the new year which is a special date for every mother who gives birth.

"My son was scheduled to be born on Jan 16, but I delivered him almost two weeks early. He was born normally with a weight of 2.9 gms at 4.51 am. I name him Mohd Adam Zikry Azmil Mokhtar," she said

Young couple, Norlidah Kamaruddin, 33, and Mat Redzuan Ahmad Nasir, 30 were thankful at the birth of their second child Nur Farysha Mat Redzuan although she was a day early.

"Thank God, my baby is safe and healthy when born. I delivered my baby normally without any problems at 9.49 am, just now," she told the media at the HKL maternity ward.

Meanwhile, on the development of the floods in the East Coast, Dr Hilmi said, to date, 557 personnel of the ministry had been sent to Kelantan and Pahang including two engineering teams (six people) and 15 members of Psychological First Aid, who were sent Wednesday.

In addition, he said almost all hospitals in Kelantan had obtained power supply directly from Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), except Gua Musang, Jeli and Tanah Merah which were still using TNB generators.