PMI complains about KPU's prohibition on blood donor

Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The Banjarmasin chapter of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) complained about the General Elections Commission (KPU) prohibition to December poll candidates to hold blood donors which is considered of crowd-pulling events.

"We are (now) very difficult to find blood donors, the stock has decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, it turns out there is this regulation from KPU," said Chairman of Banjarmasin PMI H Rusdiansyah here, Tuesday.

Rusdiansyah opined that the KPU's regulation No. 13 of 2020 made it more difficult for PMI to provide blood for hospitals and the public.

He asked the regulation to be reviewed and KPU could provide dispensation as this is related to humanity. "It's about human life," he pointed out.

Whereas PMI, Rusdiansyah said, has to provide 100 bags of blood every day.

"Blood is needed by hospitals for patients, both for surgery and giving birth," he said.

If the regulation to be enforced rigidly, he said, it will be difficult for PMI to find donors.

Head of Blood Donation Unit (UDD) of the Banjarmasin PMI dr Aulia Ramadhan Supit said, before the issuance of the KPU's regulation, several political parties and other parties in collaboration with PMI had scheduled blood donations.

Now, he said, he does not dare to hold blood donation with a political organization during the campaign period. "PMI doesn't want to be blamed, but on the other hand we need blood," he said.

However, he said, if there is a dispensation, his party, without differentiating colors, symbols, or candidates for the regional head, ready to carry out blood donation by consistently implementing health protocol.

"In PMI only 10 to 30 bags we could obtain per a day, different if other agencies or organizations hold it could be 70 to 100 bags," said dr Rama.