Blood shortage to save lives

Since the implementation of the two-level government, agencies and units have merged, and blood shortage has become a difficult problem at the Provincial General Hospital. Despite the efforts of the health sector and the Red Cross, the amount of blood received is still not enough to meet the increasing treatment needs. The participation of Party committees, authorities and organizations in mobilizing voluntary blood donation is urgently needed.

Many volunteers actively came to the Provincial General Hospital to donate blood and platelets.

Supply cannot meet demand.

From July 1, 2025 to now, only about 5-7 people come to the Provincial General Hospital to donate blood every day, at most only about 10 people. Meanwhile, the demand is very large, on average 160-180 units of blood are needed every day. In particular, the blood types that need to be regularly received are blood type O and blood type A. In addition, the hospital's blood bank, in addition to meeting the needs of patients here, is also distributed to regional medical centers and other hospitals in the province, so the amount of blood reserves always needs to be received.... Thereby showing that the need for blood is very large compared to the actual amount of blood received.

Doctor CKII Ta Minh Nguyen - Head of the Blood Transfusion Department, Hematology - Blood Transfusion Center, Provincial General Hospital said: Previously, the Provincial Red Cross was the focal point for mobilizing people to donate blood, ensuring the amount of 1,500 - 2,000 units, about 60% of the blood supply to the hospital each month. However, after the merger, the mobilization was interrupted, the blood supply was not continuous, causing the hospital to fall into a state of shortage...

In particular, patients with chronic kidney failure, thalassemia (congenital hemolytic anemia), myelodysplastic syndrome, or emergency patients needing blood transfusions... In emergency situations, the Provincial General Hospital will mobilize the live blood bank. From the patient's relatives or medical staff, members of the reserve blood bank club (BBC) volunteer to donate immediately at night to save the patient. However, each person can only donate one unit of blood at a time and must wait at least 3 months before donating again to ensure health.

Patient Nguyen Tuan Anh in Vo Mieu commune has Beta Thalassemia (congenital hemolytic anemia), a disease that requires him to receive blood transfusions regularly throughout his life. Tuan Anh shared: Because of congenital hemolytic anemia, he often has to be hospitalized for blood transfusions to compensate for the lack of blood and minimize dangerous complications caused by anemia. But recently, due to the shortage of blood, he has received fewer blood transfusions.

Volunteers are workers of Vietnam Future Innovation Co., Ltd., Phu Ha Industrial Park participating in "FTI Red Drops"

Since the beginning of July, on average each month the Provincial General Hospital has coordinated to organize 8-12 blood donation sessions, mainly at businesses, universities and colleges in the province and received over 6,000 units.

The blood shortage is mainly due to the merger and reorganization of the administrative apparatus, which has caused the district-level blood donation steering committee to no longer operate, while the commune level has not yet established replacement mobilization committees, so the source of mobilizing people to participate in blood donation is facing difficulties, significantly affecting the current blood demand.

Need for Party committees and authorities to pay attention and get involved

To overcome the current blood shortage, in addition to maintaining the province's reserve blood bank, the Provincial General Hospital has proactively coordinated with businesses, universities and colleges in the area to call on the community to directly donate blood at the hospital and use the reserve. However, the amount of blood received is still not enough to meet the treatment needs. Currently, the reserve blood volume is only 30% of the previous amount.

Ms. Tran Thi Thu Thuy - teacher of Trung Vuong Kindergarten, Viet Tri Ward - member of the Provincial Blood Bank Club shared: Because of the common blood type A, large blood vessels, easy to take, good health and the advantage of being near the provincial hospital, every time there are emergency cases requiring urgent blood transfusion, the hospital calls me to be ready to go to the hospital to help, sometimes the transfusion is not finished until 9 or 10 pm...

Most recently, the Hospital has coordinated with the Provincial Red Cross, many agencies and enterprises to organize blood donation days. At Vietnam Future Innovation Company Limited, Phu Ha Industrial Park, nearly 200 workers participated in "FTI Red Drops", collecting 176 units of blood. At Lam Thao Super Phosphate and Chemical Joint Stock Company, the "Lam Thao Super Phosphate Red Drops" program mobilized 418 units of blood. The amount of blood was received and preserved by the Hematology and Blood Transfusion Center of the Provincial General Hospital for use in emergency care for patients.

These numbers partly solve the temporary blood shortage. However, compared to the daily blood demand at the Provincial General Hospital, this is still a very modest number.

Blood reserves at the Provincial General Hospital are at a very low level.

Anemia is not only a problem of provincial hospitals and the health sector, but also a social problem. Anemia affects chronic patients, especially seriously in emergency cases, other diseases that require blood transfusion... Each unit of blood not only brings a chance of life to a person but also the hope of an entire family.

More than ever, the authorities of communes and wards need to establish blood donation mobilization committees as soon as possible. Only with synchronous participation, regular and systematic mobilization, can we ensure a long-term blood supply. At the same time, we need to spread the spirit of compassion and sharing in the community - because donating blood does not harm health, but is also a noble act, bringing life to many patients.

Moc Lam

Source: https://baophutho.vn/tinh-trang-khan-hiem-nguon-mau-cuu-nguoi-240210.htm