Dengue depletes blood supply

YOGYAKARTA: The main Sardjito General Hospital has issued an urgent call for voluntary blood donors to help the rising number of patients affected by an outbreak of dengue fever.

Hospital spokesman Sri Wahyuni said the hospital was running short of fresh blood supplies for the dengue fever sufferers. The illness is often marked by internal hemorrhaging.

In the last two days, the number of dengue admittances increased from 71 to 81.

Although there were many patients who received blood from their relatives, she said there were many others who needed help from donors. (23/rms)