Through these short conversations, we try to understand what our customers think about us. Today, we are going to Malaysia to meet Ms. Zamira Binti Md Yusof, Scientific Officer in the National Blood Center (Pusat Darah Negara) of Malaysia. She is currently working in the production department of the National Blood Center.

The Pusat Darah Negara (PDN) also known as the National Blood Center is a key institution in Malaysia’s healthcare system dedicated to the collection, processing, storage and distribution of blood and blood products. It plays a crucial role in ensuring a safe and sufficient supply of blood for hospitals and clinics across the country. On average, PDN and the state blood banks require between 2,000 and 3,000 units of blood per day for routine medical procedures, surgeries, and emergencies.

1. Could you explain what your activities consist of?

The National Blood Center organizes regular blood donation campaigns across the country and operates mobile blood donation units. Before accepting blood donations, the center conducts screening of the donor and testing of the blood. The blood collected is processed and separated into different components such as the red blood cells, plasma, platelets, and clotting factors. The blood and its components are stored under controlled conditions and kept on standby for urgent medical use.

The National Blood Center is the central supplier of blood and blood products to hospitals throughout Malaysia. It ensures timely delivery based on hospital needs, especially during emergencies, surgeries or for patients with chronic conditions like anemia. The blood center maintains a strategic inventory system to ensure the national blood supply is balanced.

In addition, the National Blood Center conducts ongoing research to improve blood safety, blood transfusion techniques and donor recruitment strategies.

2. Why is there a need for cold storage?

Cold storage is required to ensure the quality of the blood products.

3. Which products did you buy from B Medical Systems? For which purpose?

We do have freezers and contact shock freezers. Regarding the freezers, we have 2 types; the -40°C plasma storage freezers and the -80°C ultra-low freezers. We use them for the storage of plasma and we have the contact shock freezer to freeze the plasma as soon as possible, within 1h according to our processes.

4. What are the features that you liked the most? Could you please talk about the performance of the devices?

We like the rapid cooling performance of the MBF/CSF. The contact shock freezer can freeze the plasma faster compared to other brands. The equipment are also very reliable as some of them have been is use for more than 20 years and are still working fine.

5. How are you using B Medical Systems’ products and how do they benefit your institution?

In the whole blood center, we have more than one hundred B Medical Systems units. About 50% of the units are used in the production department where there is a freezer bay. It consists of 40 freezers (20 units of -40°C Freezers and 20 units of Ultra Low Freezers (-80°C)). These devices are used for the safe storage and processing of plasma.

6. Have you found in B Medical Systems a trustworthy partner?

Yes. We have been using your products from from the very beginning when it was known as Electrolux, and then as Dometic, and now finally as B Medical Systems. After over 20 years of use, they are still in good conditions. Recently, we received some new models from your local partner EMS Asia Group Sdn. Bhd.

7. How did you learn about B Medical Systems?

From local supplier, EMS Asia Group Sdn. Bhd.

8. How long have you been a B Medical Systems customer?

Since the establishment of the blood center in the new building around year 2002.

9. Are you satisfied with the equipment?

Yes, we are.

10. Would you recommend B Medical Systems to your peers?

Yes, they have a good after-sales service. At any instance that we need assistance, we would just call EMS Asia Group Sdn. Bhd. and they will come as soon as possible to assist us.

 

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