Soldiers donate blood

JAKARTA (JP): The East Jakarta Military Command has organized a two-day blood drive ending today to help dengue fever patients who need blood transfusions.

The campaign, which is open to the public, aims to collect at least 300 units of blood. Each unit comprises 250 cc of blood.

"This is a campaign initiated by the military command to help PMI (Indonesian Red Cross) collect blood for dengue fever patients," the command's chief of staff, Maj. Didi Sudiana, said yesterday.

Didi said employees and members of the Armed Forces in East Jakarta would participate in the drive. Members of mass organizations and youth groups as well as government officials in the area have also been invited to join in.

"It is also meant to encourage the public to donate blood to help dengue patients," he said as reported by Antara.

Dengue fever has claimed at least 70 people and hospitalized over 8,300 in the city since January, according to official statistics.