People donate blood at an event in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)Every year, Vietnam needsabout 2 million blood units for emergency aid, medical treatment, and as reservesfor accidents, disasters, and epidemics.
The voluntary blood donationmovement has developed strongly, attracting the participation of people fromall social strata, from students, civil servants, armed forces personnel,health workers, to religious dignitaries and workers.
Bach Quoc Khanh, Director ofthe National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT), said publicawareness has improved considerably compared to that 5 - 10 years ago. Despite thecomplex COVID-19 situation, whenever the institute faced blood shortages, itonly needed to issue an appeal and thousands of blood donors would come rightthe next day.
Shortages will nolonger be a concern if all healthy people are ready to share their preciousblood, he affirmed.
Khanh noted healthy peoplewho make regular donations are the source of the highest blood quality andsafety as they are always aware of the importance of protecting their health.
Not only helping save others' lives, donors can also gain benefits for themselves.
Regular blood donation,especially at young ages, help reduce the risk of hemochromatosis,thereby lowering the rate of strokes and cardiovascular diseases, according tothe NIHBT.
Besides, donorswill also benefit from free health check-ups and blood tests, be cared forafter donation, and receive some gifts and a blood donation certificate thatwill enable them to receive a maximum of the same volume of blood they have donatedfree of charge when necessary.
The NIHBTexpressed its hope that healthy people will donate blood regularly wheneverthey can since a large number of patients are waiting for it to sustaintheir lives every day and every hour./.
VNA
