Hanoi tops country for blood donation in 2024

The Hanoi Youth Blood Donation Association has mobilized over 55,000 units of blood for 2024, raising the city's blood donor rate to 3.8%, the highest in the country, according to the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT).

Since 2009, the Blood Donation Festival has been held in early December to coincide with International Volunteer Day [December 5]. This year's edition, titled "Volunteer Heart", the 16th so far, is under the co-sponsorship of the NIHBT and the Hanoi Youth Blood Donation Association. 

The "Volunteer Heart" blood donation festival held in Hanoi in early December. Photos: Hanoimoi

"After 15 years (2009 - 2023), the program has received nearly 35,000 units of blood, helping to raise awareness of volunteerism and voluntary blood donation among young people and students in the capital," Dr. Tran Ngoc Que, Director of the National Blood Center under NIHBT, said at a blood donor campaign held in early December.

"Joining Hands to Donate Blood and Save People' is the theme of this year's festival, which is expected to collect around 2,500 units of blood for treatment and emergency patients at the end of the year and during the upcoming Lunar New Year. Nearly 1,500 people came to donate blood on the first day alone," Que added.

The program is also an opportunity to express gratitude for the contributions and dedication of organizations and volunteers in activities for community life, spreading human values, and making life better.

He said Hanoi leads the voluntary blood donation movement in the whole country. "Nearly 31 years ago, the first voluntary blood donation day in Vietnam was held in the capital, while a Hanoi Youth Blood Donation Association has been in existence for years."

Since its establishment, Hanoi Youth Blood Donation Association has developed many good models and creative ways to communicate and mobilize blood donation. At present, these models are replicated and effectively applied in many localities across the country, including the Xuan Hong (Red Spring) Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival for Children, the "Volunteer Heart" Festival, Red Drops of Gratitude, and others.

"Thanks to the safe and high-quality blood source, the National Blood Center has ensured the supply of blood to more than 180 hospitals and medical facilities nationwide," Que said.

Dr. Nguyen Ha Thanh, Director of NIHBT, said that in the past five years [2019-2024], as many as 310,130 units of blood had been donated to the Hanoi Blood Association, with 99% of all volunteer donors contributing.

"The Institute has always had the support of the Hanoi Blood Association to ensure a safe blood supply. Regardless of time, weather, sunshine, rain or distance, the volunteers' unwavering enthusiasm and commitment to promoting voluntary blood donation has amazed me," Thanh said, adding that these activities help young people build a good lifestyle and character.

Voluntary blood donation has developed in both quality and quantity in the 2019-2024 period, ensuring the emergency and treatment needs of patients. "Hanoi Blood Association has invited people with blood types O and A to donate blood, and is a pioneer in joining hands to overcome anemia at all times," he added.

Many young people volunteer to donate blood at the festival.

Thanh noted that the NIHBT needs 1,200-1,500 units of blood every day for more than 120 hospitals in Hanoi. However, the shortage of blood types A and O is the most severe and is expected to continue until the end of 2024.

"To cope with the situation, the institute organized many blood donation programs. More than 3,000 messages per day were sent to blood type A donors," said the director.

The Hanoi Blood Association has coordinated with the NIHBT to hold 27 major blood donation events, such as Xuan Hong Festival, where 45,320 units of blood were donated, Red Drops of Gratitude (18,177 units of blood), Volunteer Heart (15,683 units of blood), Summer of Kindness (10,183 units of blood), and others.

According to Dr. Nguyen Ha Thanh, Vietnam needs about two million units of blood annually for emergency care, medical treatment, and as a reserve for accidents, disasters, and epidemics.

"The voluntary blood donation movement has developed strongly, attracting people from all walks of life, including students, civil servants, military personnel, health workers, religious dignitaries and workers," Thanh said.

He said that public awareness is much better than it was 5-10 years ago. "Whenever the NIHBT faced a blood shortage, all they had to do was appeal, and thousands of blood donors would come the next day."

The healthy people who donate regularly are the source of the highest blood quality and safety because they are always aware of the importance of protecting their health.

"In addition to helping save the lives of others, donors can also reap benefits for themselves. Regular blood donations, especially at a young age, help reduce the risk of hemochromatosis, which in turn reduces the incidence of stroke and cardiovascular disease," said the director.

He added that donors will also benefit from free health checks and blood tests, post-donation care, some gifts, and a blood donation certificate that will allow them to receive up to the same amount of blood they donated for free if needed.

Dr. Nguyen Ha Thanh expressed his hope that healthy people will donate blood regularly whenever they can, as a large number of patients are waiting for it to sustain their lives.