We thank Mr Paul Heng for sharing his concerns ("Encourage more to be blood donors"; Monday).

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) works closely with the national blood recruiter, the Singapore Red Cross (SRC), to recruit blood donors to meet our national blood needs.

Thanks to the generosity of our regular blood donors, we have been able to ensure a safe and sufficient blood supply.

The HSA is also proactively working with the SRC to meet the rising blood demand of an ageing population by making blood donation more convenient to new and regular donors.

Earlier this year, we set up Bloodbank@Westgate Tower, bringing the total number of satellite blood banks to three.

We have also recently expanded our popular Bloodbank@Dhoby Ghaut to accommodate more donors and provide a more conducive environment for them to donate blood.

The SRC works with schools, uniformed groups, and corporate, civic, religious and grassroots organisations to promote the importance of blood donation in saving lives.

This year, 474 mobile blood drives were conducted in the community.

SRC recently launched a new blood donation campaign which shares inspirational stories of blood recipients, showing how blood donations can make a powerful impact in the lives of people.

SRC has also recently rolled out the enhanced Red Cross Connection app and used various social media platforms to reach out to more donors to help spread word on the importance of donating blood regularly.

Indeed, we need to make sure that blood donation becomes a shared responsibility among communities and a national priority.

To ensure that patients in Singapore always have access to blood for transfusion, we appeal to healthy individuals to come forward to donate blood, and give the gift of life.

Tay Kim Chiew (Colonel NS)
Assistant Group Director
Blood Services Group
Health Sciences Authority

Cecilia Tan (Ms)
Deputy Secretary General (Operations)
Singapore Red Cross