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Kalla urges Bali Red Cross to be more self-sufficient
Chairman of Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) Jusuf Kalla asked the organization’s Bali chapter to be more self-reliant in fund-raising and gathering public support to run their activities
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hairman of Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) Jusuf Kalla asked the organization’s Bali chapter to be more self-reliant in fund-raising and gathering public support to run their activities.
“Instead of staying in the office and waiting for aid, you can open a blood donation booth in shopping centers, malls and office buildings. I’m sure people would be willing to contribute,” said the former vice president, who was elected PMI chairman at the end of last year.
Kalla visited PMI’s headquarters in Denpasar on Saturday as part of his trip to the organization’s offices in 33 provinces. Kalla said PMI chapters should be able to maximize the potential in respective provinces.
“In Bali, where tourism is the primary business, PMI can take advantage of hotels by offering training or workshops for hotel employees on first aid for disaster victims.”
I Gusti Lanang Rudiarta, deputy chairman of PMI’s Bali chapter, said the organization faced constraints in running their activities due to funding problems. PMI receives a yearly subsidy of Rp 300 million from the provincial administration.
“Since the 2002 Bali bombing, we have also received equipment and technical assistance on disaster preparedness, from foreign donors such as the Australian Red Cross, AusAID and the French Red Cross.”
During his visit, Kalla praised the Bali headquarters for having better facilities than offices in other provinces, including its emergency unit and well-trained human resources.
Kalla urged businesses to provide financial assistance for the organization, not just when disaster occurs.
During a visit to a blood transfusion unit at Sanglah Hospital, he said PMI aimed to improve blood transfusion units nationwide and asked the local administrations to support the move.
“Out of 211 blood transfusion units nationwide, only 12 have already met the minimum standards, while the rest are still inadequate,” he said, adding each unit should be equipped with blood check instruments and proper blood storage.
Head of the hospital’s blood transfusion unit, Anak Agung Sudewo Jelantik, said Bali had been a center of referral for blood checks.
“We also work together with other blood transfusion units to anticipate blood shortage, so that we can supply each other.”
Jelantik added many community organizations in Bali have contributed much in blood donation.
“They regularly hold blood donations every three months, with their members taking turns in donating their blood. The organizations have also established the Bali chapter of Indonesian Blood Donors with 50,000 members at present.”
During a visit to a blood transfusion unit at Sanglah Hospital, he said PMI aimed to improve blood transfusion units nationwide and asked the local administrations to support the move.
