Northern region faces blood shortage after Tet

The National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion in Hanoi has reported a serious blood shortage for the northern region after the Tet holiday.

National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion to organise Xuan Hong blood donation festival

Nguyen, a patient at National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, is having treatment for thalassemia for over 20 years. She needs four to five blood units each time but in the most recent trip to the hospital, she only had one unit.

"Doctors said I would have heart failure without blood. But the blood should be saved for patients in more critical conditions," she said.

According to Dr Pham Tuan Duong, deputy head of the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, they worked hard to prepare for Tet but this year, the holiday lasted longer than usual so many donation plans at all blood centres and plans for blood donation drives have been stalled until March.

"As of February 17, the hospital only had 2,700 units of blood," he said. "We have to provide blood to 108 hospitals in Hanoi and northern provinces."

Duong said they had reported to the Ministry of Health, National Steering Committee for Voluntary Blood Donation, and hospitals.

Vietnam-Germany Hospital also has to call for donation. From February 22 to 24, the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Hanoi Youth Association for Blood Donation Campaign and Hanoi Steering Committee for Voluntary Blood Donation will work together to organise Xuan Hong blood donation festival.

It is hoped to attract 12,000 participants and collect at least 5,000 units of blood. Donors will be given a free blood test package at the hospital.