Blood stocks dwindle during Eid exodus, PMI offers incentives to potential donors

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) DKI Jakarta is providing incentives in the form of grocery packages to residents willing to donate blood during the month of Ramadan. These incentives are being offered in response to the reduced number of donors during the Eid holiday period. “So, from H-5 to H+5 of Eid, PMI DKI across all blood service units in the city is providing incentives to members of the public who wish to donate. In the form of what? In the form of a ‘goodie bag’ (containing groceries),” said Chair of PMI DKI Jakarta, Beky Mardani, when contacted in Jakarta on Wednesday. According to her, the Jakarta region requires 1,000-1,200 bags of blood per day, and this need tends to remain static during the Eid holiday period. Nevertheless, the number of donors decreases because part of the population travels back to their hometowns. “As we know, every day, PMI DKI Jakarta must prepare 1,000-1,200 bags of blood. Well, during the month of Ramadan, based on past experience, there has been a decline in the number of donors,” said Beky. Therefore, blood donation efforts are being intensified in five city areas during the month of Ramadan, including West Jakarta. “This is to mitigate the shortage of blood stocks. So, God willing, with all these series of activities, the blood stock will be safe. We also do not expect any sudden spikes in demand,” Beky concluded.