​Brunei Darussalam registered a total of 13,037 blood donors last year. This includes 3,495 new blood donors.  Even with these numbers, the country at times still face the challenge of inadequate blood supply. Hence, the Minister of Health, welcomes more blood donors in the country to come forward and become regular donors to ensure that this supply remains sufficient, safe and sustainable.

This was stated in the message by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Zulkarnain bin Haji Hanafi on the occasion of World Blood Donor Day. According to Yang Berhormat, every blood donor is a hero to all who receive the blood. The blood donated is a lifeline in an emergency and for people who need long-term treatments. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health appreciates all regular blood donations including our generation of young heroes who have courageously started to donate blood at the age of 17.

Donating blood can help burn calories and also prevents iron overloading in the blood. A reduction of the iron level in the body is linked to low cancer risk. Regular blood donation can reduce risk of getting non-communicable diseases such as heart diseases and cancer. This year's World Blood Donor Day themed "What can you do? Give blood. Give now. Give often", focuses on blood donation in emergencies so that those in need will have an increased chance of survival.