Ho Chi Minh City: Blood donation volume has decreased sharply, risk of shortage for emergency and treatment

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, in the first 6 months of 2025, the amount of blood received in the city decreased by 20% - 30% compared to the demand for distribution. Notably, Cho Ray Hospital decreased by more than 50%, directly affecting the ability to support regions 2 and 3 (Binh Duong and Ba Ria Vung Tau areas).

The main reason is that the summer vacation causes a decrease in the number of blood donors, mainly students; the merger of administrative boundaries to form the grassroots Blood Donation Steering Committee has not been completed; while the demand for blood for emergency and treatment in June and July increases dramatically.

Facing the risk of shortage, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health requires units to synchronously deploy solutions to ensure enough blood and blood products for emergency and treatment purposes. Specifically, strengthen communication and mobilize blood donations; organize peak campaigns associated with community events, create strong influence and attract a large number of people to participate. In addition, request the People's Committees of wards, communes and special zones to urgently establish or complete the Steering Committee for Voluntary Blood Donation; assign people in charge of blood donation mobilization and coordinate with the Ho Chi Minh City Humanitarian Blood Donation Center to organize blood collection rounds in wards and communes according to the plan registered from the beginning of 2025.

Hospitals and medical facilities must strictly comply with blood transfusion regulations in Circular 26/2013/TT-BYT; prescribe blood transfusions appropriately, limit unnecessary transfusions, and prioritize emergencies and life-threatening cases.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health also assigned the Hematology and Blood Transfusion Hospital to coordinate with the Humanitarian Blood Donation Center, Cho Ray Hospital, the Red Cross and related units to effectively organize blood donation tours, support coordination between regions in emergency situations, to ensure timely, adequate and safe blood supply for patients.

Agencies and units that need to register to donate blood or supply blood or blood products can contact:

For area 1:

+ Ms. Le Bao Hoai Tram, Head of Professional Department, Blood Donation Center (phone: 0975.208.897).

+ Blood Donation Reception Department, Hematology and Blood Transfusion Hospital (phone: 028.3955.7858 or 0919.660.010)

For areas 2, 3:

+ BS-CK2 Lam My Hanh, Blood Transfusion Center, Cho Ray Hospital (phone: 0989.012.971)

THANH SON

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/tphcm-luong-mau-tiep-nhan-giam-manh-nguy-co-thieu-cho-cap-cuu-va-dieu-tri-post809119.html