Government officials join donors to overcome the effects of COVID-19 on blood supply in Indonesia

Hundreds of government officials in the city of Padang, West Sumatra, joined mass blood donations in efforts to overcome the blood availability crises over the previous few months.

Blood donations took place at the former Padang City Hall office on Wednesday (August 5), where donors were joined by hundreds of government officials in celebration of the anniversary of Padang City.

Each donor must wash their hands, use a mask, and have their body temperature checked, while medical workers were masks and face shields.

According to the head of the Padang Widyarman Branch of the Indonesian Red Cross Blood Transfusion Unit (UTD), since the coronavirus pandemic, blood supplies are running low, with many residents reluctant to donate.

He explained, there are currently only 200 bags of blood in Padang Widyarman Branch per day.

While daily need requires 150 bags, the amount of stock was significantly reduced compared to before the pandemic, where stock reached one thousand bags per day.

"With this pandemic, we are prohibited from gathering, and people are afraid to donate blood.

So, our stock is running low, arguably in crisis.

We appeal to the community."