The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) today (August 3) announced the extension of the service hours of two donor centres to encourage and enable more people to donate blood. Starting from August 7 (Monday), the service hours of the Causeway Bay and Tsuen Wan Donor Centres will be extended to 8pm. The details of the two centres are as follows:

Causeway Bay Donor Centre
14/F, Plaza 2000, 2-4 Russell Street, Causeway Bay
New service hours: 11am to 8pm from Monday to Sunday and on public holidays

Tsuen Wan Donor Centre
8 Tai Ho Road, Tsuen Wan
New service hours: 11am to 8pm from Monday to Sunday and on public holidays

     The spokesperson added that the service hours of other centres will remain unchanged. Members of the public can visit the BTS website www.ha.org.hk/rcbts or call 2710 1234 for information on donor centres.

     The spokesman said, "To meet the increasing demand for blood transfusion due to medical services developments and also to enhance convenience for the general public to donate blood, we have been exploring and implementing different initiatives and measures to upgrade our services to increase the number of blood donors. The measures include regular review of service hours of donor centres, enhancement of the outreaching service of mobile blood collection teams, and the planned implementation of an advance booking system."

     The spokesperson remarked that over the past few weeks, as the weather was particularly unstable in light of typhoons and the rainy season, the number of blood donors has not reached the daily target of 1 100. Furthermore, due to the prevailing seasonal influenza period and school holidays, both the blood supply and demand are persistently under pressure. At present, the blood inventory has been depleted to a low level. The BTS appeals to the public for active support and participation in blood donation.

     Anyone who is aged between 16 and 60 (donation is possible up to the age of 70 if predetermined conditions are met), weighs over 41 kilograms and is in good health is eligible to give blood. Male and female adult donors aged 18 or above can donate every 75 days and every 105 days respectively. Youths aged 16 and 17 can donate every 150 days.

     In addition, anyone who donates blood successfully at any donor centre from August 7 to 15 will receive a "Stay on Nutritious Diet, Start with Iron" apron while stocks last.

Ends/Thursday, August 3, 2017
Issued at HKT 13:33

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