Attending the meeting were nearly 300 blood donors with rare blood types and typical compatible blood phenotypes, selected according to many criteria, including having donated at least 10 times and donating at least 2 times in 2024.
With the theme "Love Rendezvous" and continuing the success of the series of programs held in 2022 - 2023, the event is a place to meet, share, raise awareness, and honor blood donors with rare blood types and compatible phenotype blood types.
Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Ngoc Que - Director of the National Blood Center, National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion said that in 2024, the Institute has received nearly 240 units of rare blood types and 2,458 units of phenotype-compatible blood from treatment facilities. The amount of suitable blood stored in the warehouse only meets about 56%, the rest the Institute must search for and mobilize directly from blood donors.
Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Ngoc Que also praised and acknowledged the generosity of those who donated rare blood types and phenotype-compatible blood types, who traveled far (from Nam Dinh, Ha Nam , Thai Binh...) to donate blood when invited by the Institute. Many people, despite being busy with work, having many worries or holding important positions in agencies and units, always arranged time to donate blood when there were patients in need. "It is this enthusiasm and willingness to accompany that has helped us ensure this extremely special blood source" - Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Ngoc Que shared.
In Vietnam, one of the rare blood types often mentioned is Rh(D) negative because it accounts for less than 0.1% of the population. Meanwhile, the rate of Rh(D) negative blood type in the community in Europe or many countries is not rare, because it can account for up to 15 - 40% of the population.
As of October 2024, the International Society of Blood Transfusion recognizes 47 red blood cell group systems with 366 different blood group antigens. Of these, the ABO blood group system and the Rh blood group system are the most important in blood transfusion practice.
According to Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Ngoc Que, for many years now, thanks to funding from a number of programs and projects, the Institute has conducted tests and determined blood group antigens other than the ABO and Rh systems for a number of regular voluntary blood donors.
The list of people with rare Rh(D) negative blood type or phenotypic compatible blood donors (who have identified some blood type antigens) are all stored on the Institute's software. Thanks to that, when there are patients in need, the Institute can call suitable blood donors according to the list to promptly call for blood donation and treatment for the patient.
According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha - Director of the Thalassemia Center, National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, the Center currently manages and treats about 3,000 thalassemia patients.
To date, 30% of thalassemia patients have received phenotype-compatible blood transfusions. Receiving phenotype-compatible blood transfusions helps patients minimize transfusion complications due to incompatibility between red blood cell groups between the donor and recipient.
At the program, the Organizing Committee awarded prizes to individuals who donated rare blood types and phenotype-compatible blood types with outstanding achievements in 2024.
Comment (0)