Public urged to donate blood as inventories run low (with photo)
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The Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) today (January 28) urgently appealed to members of the public to donate blood as blood inventories have been depleted to very low levels, with only about three days' stock remaining. The BTS urges all sectors of the community to support blood donations with immediate action to maintain a stable blood supply for clinical transfusion to patients.
Amid the pressure of the epidemic and cold weather, as well as cancellations of mobile blood donation services at corporate settings and schools, the number of blood collections has been consistently low since the beginning of January. Only around 300 to 400 units of blood are collected on average per day, which is not sufficient to meet the daily blood demand from local hospitals. Public hospitals, in the midst of the winter service surge, require large amounts of blood products for clinical transfusions. A sufficient blood supply is crucial for accident and emergency departments, treating critical illnesses such as emergency operations and organ transplants, as well as to meet the blood demand from thalassaemia and blood cancer patients.
Blood inventories must be duly replenished to tackle the low blood supply during the current winter surge and serve patients in need throughout the Lunar New Year holiday. In addition to Blood Donor Centres, the BTS has also received support from various organisations to provide venues for mobile blood donation services (see Annex 1 and 2). For details:
www5.ha.org.hk/rcbts/mobile-schedule?lang=en.
The BTS follows stringent measures to safeguard blood safety and infection control. To prevent crowds from gathering and long waiting times at the donor centres, donors are advised to make appointments by calling the BTS donor centres or via the "HK Blood" mobile app. Download the "HK Blood" mobile app to locate the nearest donor centres across the city and make a blood donation appointment: www5.ha.org.hk/rcbts/hkblood-intro?lang=en.
As a token of thanks, from today to February 11, every blood donor who donates successfully at donor centres or the blood donation vehicle will receive a Red Packet Pouch set, including a pouch and a pack of 10 red packets with the theme of blood types. A souvenir is available on a first-come, first-served basis, while stocks last.
Ends/Thursday, January 28, 2021
Issued at HKT 19:15
Issued at HKT 19:15
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