The Xuan Hong (Pink Spring) program, the largest blood donation campaign in Vietnam, kicked off at the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT) in Hanoi on February 11 with the expectation to receive at least 5,000 blood units, Kinh Te & Do Thi reported.
| At the Xuan Hong Festival 2020. Photo: Kinhtedothi.vn |
The Xuan Hong Program 2020, the 13th edition, is jointly held by the NIHBT and the Hanoi Steering Committee for Blood Donation Campaigns, and taking place at seven centers in 12 days.
Under the slogan “Giving Blood, Giving Life”, the campaign is expected to attract 12,000 participants to donate blood.
The event, first launched in 2008, has contributed to dealing with the blood shortage after the Lunar New Year holiday and maintaining the habit of giving blood in early spring for many people.
So far, blood donors participating in the program have totaled 215,000 and over 78,620 blood units have been collected.
NIHBT Director Bach Quoc Khanh blamed the long holiday and harsh weather for the severe blood shortage on every Lunar New Year season as blood is a biological product with very short shelf life while blood transfusion need is permanent.
In addition, the epidemic of acute respiratory infections caused by Covid-2019 has further aggravated the blood shortage.
