USU PR – Universitas Sumatera Utara, in collaboration with the Blood Management Unit (Unit Pengelola Darah/UPD) of H. Adam Malik General Hospital, once again held a blood donation activity at the USU Polyclinic on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. The activity coincided with the commemoration of the 61st National Health Day (Hari Kesehatan Nasional/HKN), but in fact is part of a routine program that has been conducted monthly.

Blood donation activities at the USU Polyclinic have been carried out consistently over the past 1–2 years, specifically on the third Wednesday of each month from 08:00 to 12:00 WIB. This initiative represents a shared commitment to maintaining the availability of blood supplies and increasing awareness among the academic community and the general public regarding humanitarian action.

The Vice Head of the USU Polyclinic, drg. Rizky Annisa Amris Lubis, emphasized that this activity is not merely a commemoration of National Health Day. She also expressed hope that public participation would continue to increase, as blood donation is beneficial not only for recipients but also for donors’ health.
“We regularly conduct blood donation activities every third Wednesday. So anyone who wants to donate blood is welcome to come, because the program is always available,” she stated.

The collaboration between the USU Polyclinic and H. Adam Malik General Hospital has reportedly run smoothly from the outset. The UPD of H. Adam Malik General Hospital is a blood processing unit that serves the needs of referral patients from various regions in North Sumatra and Aceh. The demand for blood at the hospital is very high, reaching 120–150 blood bags per day.

Dr. Ida Adhayanti, Sp.PK., SubSp. BD(KT-C/K), from the UPD of H. Adam Malik General Hospital, explained that most blood demand comes from cancer patients, thalassemia patients, hemodialysis patients, and patients with anemia who require routine transfusions.

“Thalassemia patients alone can reach 12–15 people per day, while hemodialysis patients number around 40. So every bag of blood is extremely valuable,” she explained.

In addition to helping patients, blood donation also provides direct benefits for donors. Basic health checks such as blood pressure, hemoglobin levels, as well as screenings for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and syphilis are also conducted. Donors will be contacted if any test results require follow-up, making this activity a means of early detection of health conditions.

Rahel Risanta Sitinjak, a Medical Laboratory Technology Specialist, added that sufficient blood supply is crucial for medical personnel. This simple effort not only saves the lives of others, but also helps donors maintain their own health and enhances their sense of purpose.

“If there is no blood stock available, it feels like a punishment for patients’ families. That is why a single bag of blood can save three lives,” she said.