Members of the PEMA Secretariat, Genting Biorefinery coordinators, and the Lahad Datu Hospital Blood Bank team, led by Dr Kershan Karunagaran, working together to ensure the success of the PEMA Blood Donation Programme.
LAHAD DATU: POIC Sabah continues to champion blood donation and civic awareness in the district as the POIC Emergency Mutual Aid (PEMA) marks its fifth year of spearheading blood donation campaigns in Lahad Datu.
Corporate Communications Manager Malvina Flant said the latest campaign, held from February 3 to 4, was the 15th consecutive blood donation drive organised by PEMA since its establishment in 2014.
The campaign took place at Genting Biorefinery Sdn Bhd, a major investor at POIC Lahad Datu and a founding member of PEMA.
PEMA comprises volunteer members from companies operating within the POIC Lahad Datu industrial park. These members undergo regular firefighting and emergency response training, enabling them to serve as first responders during incidents within the industrial park.
“PEMA promotes camaraderie, a strong sense of community, and the spirit of mutual assistance. We hope to extend these values beyond the industrial park to the wider community,” she said on the sidelines of the campaign, which successfully collected 99 pints of blood for the Lahad Datu Hospital Blood Bank.
Lahad Datu Hospital has recently commended PEMA as a vital contributor to the district’s blood supply. Records show that PEMA’s initiatives have generated more than 1,000 pints of blood over the years, excluding the most recent campaign.
“We believe we are making a difference. The consistently enthusiastic response and increasing participation from public donors show that awareness of blood donation has grown significantly,” said Malvina.
She also expressed POIC Sabah’s appreciation for the continued commitment and strong support of participating companies in every PEMA initiative.
In addition, Malvina acknowledged the crucial role played by the Fire and Rescue Department in training PEMA volunteers and continuously enhancing their capabilities as first responders.
