Bloodshed amid high demand
According to a report sent by Dong Nai General Hospital to the Department of Health on July 28, the hospital performs 80-100 surgeries per day, in many specialties. Not to mention, this is also the place that regularly receives and treats serious diseases: blood clotting disorders, gastrointestinal bleeding, severe dengue fever, bone marrow failure, leukemia, etc. In 2024 alone, Dong Nai General Hospital used more than 17,000 units of blood, accounting for nearly 50% of the province's blood supply - a figure that shows the pressure on the local blood supply system.
Up to now, the Blood Transfusion Center of Cho Ray Hospital ( Ho Chi Minh City) has been the main blood supplier for hospitals in Dong Nai. On average, Dong Nai General Hospital receives more than 300 units of blood per week. However, since the beginning of July, the amount of blood supplied has decreased sharply, to only about 200 units/week, while the daily demand is 30-40 units of blood. Not only is there a shortage of blood type A, but all 4 blood types (O, A, B, AB) are in a state of scarcity. “We no longer have blood type A to transfuse. In many cases, we are forced to use packed red blood cells type O as a replacement. This is a mandatory, temporary solution, but it is highly risky if used in major surgeries or severe blood loss” – Dr. Le Van Thong Nhat, Head of the Department of Hematology - Blood Transfusion, Dong Nai General Hospital, shared.
Drip infusion
At Long Khanh Regional General Hospital, the situation is not much better. “Before, we only had to go get blood once a week, but now we have to go 2-3 times a day to Cho Ray Blood Transfusion Center. Even so, sometimes we have to go back empty-handed when we get there because type A blood is almost gone,” said pharmacist Nguyen Thanh Hung, Head of the Laboratory Department, Long Khanh Regional General Hospital.
At Thong Nhat Dong Nai General Hospital, Dr. Ho Thi Phuong Anh - Head of the Hematology Department - confirmed: the prolonged blood shortage has forced the hospital to carefully calculate blood transfusions. Only critical cases are prioritized, while cases that can be delayed have to wait. "There are days when we do not receive any blood units even though the patient needs emergency care. We are living on the "living blood bank", but this source is gradually running out" - Dr. Phuong Anh said.
Doctor CK2 Nguyen Van Binh - Deputy Director of Dong Nai Department of Health said that in the past, the main source of blood came from voluntary blood donations, mobilized and organized by the Provincial Red Cross Society. However, recently, due to changes in the organizational structure of the Red Cross Society, blood donation activities have been interrupted. In addition, the current time is the summer vacation of students, the main blood donor force of the province, so the number of people donating blood has decreased seriously. The demand for blood has not decreased at all. In the first 6 months of 2024, Dong Nai used up to 33,000 units of blood, of which Dong Nai General Hospital alone consumed nearly half.
Establish a fixed blood donation point
Dong Nai Department of Health urgently met with Dong Nai General Hospital and Cho Ray Blood Transfusion Center of Ho Chi Minh City Hospital to agree: to establish a permanent voluntary blood donation point right at the Hematology Department of Dong Nai General Hospital. Currently, the hospital has fully prepared personnel and facilities, waiting for the Blood Transfusion Center and the Department of Health to assess and grant a license to start operating as soon as possible. Cho Ray Center will provide supplies such as blood bags, needles, etc. for this new blood donation point. "If this model works effectively, we will replicate it in other hospitals in the province. However, in the immediate future, hospitals must continue to mobilize "living blood banks" from medical staff and patients' relatives," affirmed Dr. Nguyen Van Binh.
In order to contribute to solving the urgent blood shortage, Dong Nai General Hospital will organize a large-scale voluntary blood donation program on August 16, expected to mobilize about 500 units of blood.
The anemia crisis in Dong Nai is not just a technical or medical management issue, but a community issue that requires the participation of the entire political system and the spirit of sharing from the people. While waiting for long-term solutions, take action now – with your own arms and hearts.
Source: https://cand.com.vn/y-te/cac-benh-vien-o-dong-nai-thieu-hut-mau-tram-trong-i776710/
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