Health sector calls for blood donations ahead of Tet
The National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion has called on the community, especially those with type O blood, to donate blood in an effort to avoid a shortage during the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) holidays.
Students of People’s Police College give blood during a blood donation festival in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - The NationalInstitute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion has called on the community,especially those with type O blood, to donate blood in an effort to avoid ashortage during the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) holidays.
It is estimated that over the next three months,the institute needs about 90,000 blood units, including more than 36,000 unitsof type O blood, to meet the demand of first aid, treatment and supply forhospitals, said the institute’s director Bach Quoc Khanh.
At the moment, about 75,000 people haveregistered to donate blood, Khanh said. “We need more support from thecommunity to have 90,000 blood units to meet the country’s demand during theyear-end," he said.
During the Tet holidays, the number of blood donors oftenreduces while the need of blood for emergency treatment increases. The directorsaid a blood shortage is likely to occur if the health sector has not preparedenough blood reserves. This would endanger patients.
Therefore, Khanh said, an increase in blooddonation is the only way to handle the shortage, especially of type O blood,during the end of the year and the Lunar New Year holidays.
According to Dr. Khanh, despite many blooddonation programmes, there still is a risk of shortage because the country’sdemand increases every year.
At present, the institute has provided dailyabout 1,200 units of blood for emergency treatments. During the period betweenDecember and January, the institute needs about 30,000-35,000 blood units. InFebruary, it needs between 20,000 and 25,000 units of blood for Tet.
People can visit the institute on Pham Van Bach street,Cau Giay district, Hanoi to donate blood from 8am to 8pm every day.-VNA
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Students of People’s Police College give blood during a blood donation festival in Hanoi (Photo: VNA) 
