In a posting on its website, the blood bank said it was dangerously low on the blood types “A+” and “A-“, while the status is moderate for “B” and “AB”. The only positive is that there is adequate blood supply from the “O” group, which is the most common blood type among people.

Health ministry deputy health director-general Dr S Jeyaindran said most donors have gone on leave which decreases the donor pool during the Christmas and New Year break, and the long school holidays prior to the year-end festive period.

“Most people go on long breaks. This causes a drop in donors at the blood bank. When it goes down to low levels, the blood bank would put it up on their website and other media encouraging people to come forward to donate.

“This is also in anticipation of any travel-related accidents or any major incidents,” he told FMT when asked on the reasons for the plea made by the blood bank.

He said if the blood bank runs low on blood it would start making calls to their regular donors or set up blood donation booths at army and police recruitment centres to donate blood.

“Other measures would be to set up blood donation booths to encourage new donors,” he added.

Blood donations are used for a wide range of conditions including anaemia, leukaemia, during surgery and following organ transplants.

Donors with blood type “A” are urged to come in to the National Blood Bank at Jalan Tun Razak or at a nearby blood donation campaign to help with the urgent need.

The blood bank is open from 7.30am to 8pm on weekdays, and 8am to 4pm on weekends.

For more information about blood donation, please call 03-2613 2688.