TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian healthcare agency is finding it difficult to fulfill the country`s annual blood needs of 5.1 million bags. Therefore, the blood transfusion services should be expanded across the country.
The Director-General of healthcare services at the Health Ministry Bambang Wibowo accentuated this blood crisis and further revealed that nine percent deaths of mothers giving birth are caused by the lack of blood supply.
“Based on WHO records, Indonesia’s blood needs each year reaches 5.1 million bags. Meanwhile, we could only provide around 4.2 million,” said Bambang today, April 24, in Medan, North Sumatra.
It is hoped that the central and regional governments, hospitals, and the Indonesian Red Cross would work together in solving the blood scarcity the country is currently experiencing.
Furthermore, Bambang reminded regional general hospitals to pay attention to the quality of the blood supply that will later be used by the patients.
ANTARA