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Straits Times
7 days ago
- General
- Straits Times
Forum: More youth, corporate support needed for blood donation efforts
T he theme for World Blood Donor Day 2025 is 'Give blood, give hope: together we save lives'. While blood donations in Singapore have increased – 79,365 donors in 2024, up 24 per cent since 2010 – challenges remain. Youth participation has declined sharply: Only 14 per cent of donors were aged 16 to 25 in 2024, compared with 33 per cent in 2010. New donor numbers have also fallen, from 21,420 in 2016 to 17,817 in 2024. Despite more donors overall, the number of donations per 1,000 people remains low at 21.2. To address this, the Health Sciences Authority and Singapore Red Cross are aiming to grow the youth donor pool to 30 per cent by 2030 through programmes like YouthInspired and partnerships with schools and civic groups. Corporations also play a crucial role. Beyond hosting blood drives, companies should consider enabling participation such as offering time off to build a culture of regular donation. I hope more corporations will take steps – not just as organisers but also as active enablers – to encourage their employees to give blood and give hope. Ivan Ong More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Independent Singapore
22-05-2025
- Health
- Independent Singapore
Singapore Red Cross warns number of local blood donors has dropped, with stocks of 3 blood types getting low
SINGAPORE: The Singapore Red Cross has reported critically low supplies of three key blood types and said it expects the number of blood donations to decrease as the nation heads into the June school holidays and contends with a fresh wave of COVID-19 cases. According to the latest update on the Singapore Red Cross website, the stocks of O+, AB+, and A- blood types are running low, prompting a renewed appeal for donors to come forward. Since last week, the organisation has been actively reaching out to eligible donors through SMS and phone calls in a bid to replenish supplies. The drop in blood stocks comes at a particularly challenging time. Blood donations typically decline by about 20% during the mid-year school break, as many regular donors travel or adjust their routines during the holidays. The Red Cross noted that Singaporeans who have visited areas such as Batam and Bintan in Indonesia must wait at least four months before donating blood if they stayed there for more than 24 hours. 'There are three public holidays in May, and many Singaporeans travel overseas during this period,' said a Red Cross spokesperson, 'Unfortunately, if they travel to certain regions, they may be temporarily deferred from donating blood upon their return.' This seasonal dip has been compounded by the recent uptick in COVID-19 infections, which has led to fewer people turning up at blood banks, either due to illness or concerns about exposure. There is a particular need for type O blood, the most in-demand blood group in Singapore. Half of all Singapore patients requiring blood transfusions have type O blood and can only receive transfusions of the same type. Moreover, in emergency situations where there is no time to verify a patient's blood type, hospitals rely on type O blood — often referred to as 'universal blood' — to stabilise patients and save lives. The Singapore Red Cross is calling on members of the public to come forward and donate blood as soon as they can. See also 2 teens arrested in connection with jewellery theft Only those who are in good health and free from infections are eligible to donate. Anyone feeling unwell or recovering from an illness, including COVID-19, is advised to wait until they've made a full recovery before heading to a donation centre.
CNA
24-04-2025
- General
- CNA
Singapore Red Cross to send another S$600,000 in aid to Myanmar in wake of deadly quake
Singapore The organisation's latest tranche of support will also include 810 tents to Gaza and S$600,000 to Syria. SINGAPORE: The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) will send additional tranches of humanitarian aid in response to escalating needs in Myanmar, Gaza and Syria. It signed humanitarian partnership agreements on Thursday (Apr 24) with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) to coordinate efforts for the humanitarian crises. SRC's latest response will include a further S$600,000 (US$458,000) in humanitarian aid to Myanmar, about 810 tents for displaced communities in Gaza and an additional S$600,000 in humanitarian assistance to Syria. People drive past a collapsed building on Mar 30, 2025 in the aftermath of a strong earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar. (Photo: REUTERS/Stringer) Nearly a month after the devastating 7.7-magnitude Myanmar earthquake that killed over 3,500 people, needs for shelter, safe water, food, healthcare and sanitation remain critical, said SRC. On top of an ongoing civil war, Myanmar has experienced an unprecedented heatwave with temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius. The country is also gearing up for the monsoon season in June, which will likely see flooding and a rise in waterborne diseases. The upcoming tranche of aid will therefore focus on monsoon and heat preparedness. The SRC will also supply items such as shelter kits, solar generators and medicine. It will deploy a water sanitation and hygiene team to install and maintain water filters. The latest effort is on top of the S$550,000 worth of humanitarian aid sent in early April and a previous contribution of S$150,000 that was sent to address immediate needs in the aftermath of the disaster. Secretary General and CEO of SRC, Mr Benjamin William, said that the road ahead in Myanmar will be 'long and complex'. 'The relief effort will not end soon. It will take months, even a couple of years, before all the communities are reached and the basic needs met,' he said. A Palestinian woman holds a child, as Palestinians inspect the damage at a school sheltering displaced people, following an Israeli strike, in Gaza City, Apr 23, 2025. (Photo: REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas) To support the communities in Gaza, an SRC operations coordinator is in Cairo to work with the Egyptian Red Crescent Society to coordinate the Singapore organisation's ongoing humanitarian support. In its latest tranche of support, the SRC procured 800 small tents and 10 big tents for displaced communities. The small tents can house up to 6,400 people, while the big ones can accommodate larger families, serve as prayer areas and aid distribution points. 'The amount that we can contribute is still minuscule compared to the needs on the ground, but we have to do what we can,' said Mr William. In May last year, the Singapore Red Cross deployed eight civilian volunteers to support its relief operations in Gaza. The team of eight civilian volunteers deployed to assist Singapore Red Cross (SRC) in its ongoing Gaza relief operations. Another operations coordinator, also a civilian volunteer, will be stationed in Egypt to oversee the coordination of SRC's response activities. (Photo: Singapore Red Cross) The Israel-Hamas war is now into its 18th month. At least 51,200 people have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza. 'If you look at Gaza, it's a catastrophe on all fronts, and there is nothing where you can find something positive over the last almost two years,' said Mr Juan Pedro Schaerer, the head of the regional delegation of the ICRC. Relief efforts have been hampered by restrictions at the Rafah border crossing and ongoing violence that recently killed Palestine Red Crescent volunteers and staff in Gaza. THE CRISIS IN SYRIA On the situation in Syria, Mr William said it is dealing with a 'complex crisis' amid a civil war and the aftermath of a deadly 7.8 magnitude quake that struck the country and neighbouring Türkiye in February 2023. More than 5,700 people were killed in Syria, and more than 8 million people were affected, SRC said. To support long-term recovery efforts, the SRC will commit an additional S$600,000 in humanitarian assistance. The additional efforts will support a range of critical interventions, including enhancements to nutrition services to address malnutrition, essential medical supplies and water sanitation initiatives in Northwest Syria. 'The Singapore Red Cross will remain unwavering in its commitment to helping to rebuild the lives and ensuring that no one is left behind or forgotten,' said Mr William. 'And in the case of Syria, this can easily happen.' One of the biggest challenges impeding these relief efforts is access. In Myanmar, much of the quake-hit zones are in areas that are affected by the ongoing civil war. Although a ceasefire has been announced, there are still conflicts, making it difficult for humanitarian actors to know which safe spaces they can access, said Mr William. This is on top of the fact that a lot of infrastructure has collapsed due to the earthquake, making it challenges to access affected areas, he added. Mr Elkhan Rahimov, the IFRC representative to ASEAN, added that another challenge is the shifting attention of the public to other issues. 'Unfortunately, even with the disasters on this scale, attention shifts quite swiftly from one emergency to another,' he said. But the first response always comes from the community, he added. To date, the SRC has raised more than S$4 million through its public appeal for those affected by the Myanmar earthquake. 'The generous outpouring of support has enabled SRC to deliver critical aid, but the needs on the ground remain urgent,' the SRC said. It has called on the public to continue to support the affected communities. The SRC is running public fundraising appeals for Gaza until Apr 30, and for the Myanmar and Thailand earthquake until May 30. Singapore Red Cross Myanmar crisis Gaza Syria
New Paper
22-04-2025
- Politics
- New Paper
Puan Noor Aishah, wife of Singapore's first President Yusof Ishak, dies at 91
Puan Noor Aishah, Singapore's former first lady and the widow of the country's first president Yusof Ishak, died on April 22. She was 91. Her death was announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in a Facebook post on April 22, who said he was deeply saddened to learn of her passing. "With grace and quiet strength, she stood by Encik Yusof Ishak and steadfastly supported him throughout our tumultuous years of nation building," said Mr Wong in his tribute. "Beyond the Istana, she dedicated herself to serving others through organisations like the Singapore Red Cross and the Singapore Muslim Women's Association. "Her kindness and service touched countless lives - may her legacy continue to inspire us all." Puan Noor Aishah passed away peacefully at the Singapore General Hospital on April 22 at 4:28am, said the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). PMO said in a statement that PM Wong and his Cabinet colleagues are deeply saddened by the passing of Puan Noor Aishah, and that they extend their deepest condolences to her family. The Government will help her family with the funeral arrangements, PMO said. She will be laid to rest at Kranji State Cemetery alongside her husband on April 22. "As a mark of respect, she will be accorded the honour of being borne on the Ceremonial Gun Carriage for her final journey from Masjid Ba'alwie to Kranji State Cemetery," said PMO. A steadfast pillar of support to President Yusof throughout his tenure from 1959 to 1970, Puan Noor Aishah was also deeply involved in charitable causes and championed various social initiatives, particularly in support of women, children, and the less privileged, added PMO. Significant role in Singapore's nation-building Puan Noor Aishah played a significant role in Singapore's early nation-building years, especially in the social and welfare sectors. Born on May 21, 1933, in Selangor, Puan Noor Aishah was adopted by Fatimah Ali and Mohammad Salim Jusoh, a Eurasian man originally known as Barney Perkins, who had converted to Islam. Growing up in Penang during the Japanese occupation, she had limited access to formal education but developed practical skills such as cooking and sewing, which helped her family make ends meet. At the age of 16, she married Yusof Ishak, then the managing director and co-founder of Malay-language newspaper Utusan Melayu. He was then 39. The couple later moved to Singapore, where Mr Yusof was appointed as the Yang di-Pertuan Negara (Head of State) in 1959. Subsequently, in 1965, he became Singapore's first President following the country's independence. This meant that Puan Noor Aishah became Singapore's first First Lady at just 26. Stepping into the role was an entirely unfamiliar experience, as she recounted in a book published by Straits Times Press in 2017, Puan Noor Aishah: Singapore's First Lady. "I was not given any instructions or briefing at all; no guidelines on how to be First Lady. I had no task lists and no one briefed me on things like etiquette, dress codes and protocol. We had to learn and manage on our own," she said. Nonetheless, she quickly made an impact. As detailed in the book, she familiarised herself with the workings of the Istana and soon revitalised it, teaching the cooks - who were still preparing English classics like roast beef and pudding - her own recipes for local dishes such as beef rendang. In the Istana, Puan Noor Aishah kept Malay traditions alive in her own way, from putting Malay dishes and kuih on the Istana menu to wearing the kebaya at state events. Puan Noor Aishah also became actively involved in the social and welfare sectors, working closely with organisations such as the Singapore Red Cross, the Young Women's Muslim Association, and the Singapore Leprosy Relief Association. She became a key figure in the Girl Guides movement in Singapore, becoming its first Asian president in 1959 and later serving as its patron. During her tenure at the Istana, she took steps to make the residence more accessible to Singaporeans by hosting social gatherings, charity events, and meetings with community leaders. She also took English lessons to better communicate with dignitaries and guests In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the Pingat Bakti Chemerlang (Distinguished Service Medal) in 1964. When her husband's health started to decline after a heart attack in 1968, Puan Noor Aishah took on some of his social responsibilities. President Yusof Ishak died on Nov 23, 1970, of heart failure, and was buried at Kranji State Cemetery. Following his death, Puan Noor Aishah maintained a low public profile while continuing her involvement in charitable and community work. She remained a patron of several welfare organisations and continued to contribute to social causes. Her contributions to Singapore's early years were formally recognised when she was inducted into the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame in 2018. She was acknowledged for her role in strengthening the country's social fabric and for her long-standing commitment to voluntary work. Puan Noor Aishah is survived by her three children - daughters Orkid Kamariah and Zuriana, and son Imran - as well as several grandchildren.
Malay Mail
22-04-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
Puan Noor Aishah, Singapore's first First Lady, dies at 91
KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 — Puan Noor Aishah, Singapore's former first lady and widow of the country's first president Yusof Ishak, passed away peacefully at the Singapore General Hospital early this morning. She was 91. Her death was announced by Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in a Facebook post today. Wong said he was deeply saddened by her passing, describing her as a 'steadfast pillar of support' during Singapore's early years of nation building. 'With grace and quiet strength, she stood by Encik Yusof Ishak and steadfastly supported him throughout our tumultuous years of nation building,' Wong wrote. He also highlighted her charitable contributions through organisations such as the Singapore Red Cross and the Singapore Muslim Women's Association. According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Puan Noor Aishah will be laid to rest at Kranji State Cemetery alongside her husband. As a mark of respect, her final journey will include the honour of being borne on the Ceremonial Gun Carriage. Born in Selangor in 1933, Puan Noor Aishah grew up in Penang and married Yusof Ishak at the age of 16. She moved to Singapore when her husband became the country's first president following independence in 1965, according to The Straits Times. Stepping into her role as first lady at just 26, Puan Noor Aishah quickly became a symbol of local heritage and culture. Known for her grace and compassion, she contributed to Singapore's early nation-building efforts and championed causes supporting women, children, and the disadvantaged. Her efforts to preserve Malay traditions included revitalising the Istana menu with local dishes and wearing the kebaya at state events. She also served as a patron of the Girl Guides and several welfare organisations, earning her the Pingat Bakti Chemerlang (Distinguished Service Medal) in 1964. Puan Noor Aishah is survived by her three children — daughters Orkid Kamariah and Zuriana, and son Imran — as well as several grandchildren. According to The Straits Times, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam paid tribute to her contributions, calling her a 'force for good in her own right' who will be remembered for her grace, compassion, and service to others.
