REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono praised Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) Chairman Jusuf Kalla for his notable achievements in leading the organization.

"Since he took charge as the PMI chief, the organization has grown significantly, both at home and abroad," President Yudhoyono stated while bestowing the Satyalancana Kebaktian Social Awards on 950 voluntary blood donors who have donated blood 100 times.

The President attributed the PMI's remarkable achievements to Jusuf Kalla's efforts by encouraging voluntary blood donors, augmenting national blood stocks, and boosting the PMI's role in saving numerous lives.

He also praised the PMI for upgrading its information technology infrastructure to improve its services by creating a blood-book website.

"Technology is crucial. We can offer services more quickly, transparently, and responsibly by applying technology," he emphasized.

Jusuf Kalla, who is also the former vice president, stated that on average, the recipients of the Satyalancana Kebaktian Social Awards had voluntarily donated 30 liters of blood in the last 25 years.

Most of the blood donors were residents of the East Java province, with the oldest blood donor aged 74 years and the youngest blood donor being 37 years old, he added.

He said the PMI had set a target of opening 4.5 million branch offices across the country and nearly 80 percent of them have become operational.

"We have successfully increased the number of blood donors by 15 percent annually," he claimed.

The President symbolically bestowed the awards on 21 representatives of voluntary blood donors from 21 provinces across the country.

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