To ensure enough blood for emergency and treatment in the summer of 2025, the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion said it still needs to supplement about 30,000 units of blood, of which blood type O alone is in serious shortage with a need of up to 15,000 units.
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| Blood supply is seriously lacking. |
This is the peak time for blood transfusion needs, but blood donations tend to decrease because many people travel and students return home for summer vacation, leading to a shortage of blood supply.
Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Ha Thanh, Director of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, said that summer is a time when there are always fluctuations in the source of blood donors for many reasons.
However, treatment for patients cannot stop, and even increases in many cases, such as children with congenital hemolytic anemia who need regular blood transfusions to maintain their health and prepare for the new school year.
In July and August 2025, the National Blood Center (under the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion) is expected to receive a total of 90,000 units of blood to supply about 180 hospitals in the Northern region. This is a major challenge that requires the cooperation of the community.
To overcome the shortage of blood, the Institute has continuously organized blood donation activities, coordinated with units to add flexible blood donation schedules, creating favorable conditions for people to participate. Many agencies and organizations have actively responded to the campaign "Red Summer Blood Drops" launched by the National Steering Committee for Voluntary Blood Donation.
In particular, the synchronous participation of Steering Committees at all levels, Vietnam Medical Trade Union, Government Youth Union and social organizations has made an important contribution to maintaining blood sources for emergency and treatment.
However, the current demand for blood is still not fully met. With a sense of urgency, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Ha Thanh called for blood, a special product that cannot be preserved for a long time and has no substitute, so it needs to be donated regularly and continuously.
"I hope that all people who are in good health will donate blood many times, especially this summer, because "each drop of blood given - a life remains", said the Director of the Central Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion.
The message of the World Health Organization on the occasion of World Blood Donor Day, June 14 this year, is “Donate blood, give hope - Join hands to save people”, once again affirming the noble meaning of blood donation. Each unit of blood donated is a life saved, a hope lit.
The National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion calls on the community to continue to accompany and be ready to go to blood donation points to give faith and life to patients.
Faced with this situation, on June 20, 2025, Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan, Deputy Head of the National Steering Committee for Voluntary Blood Donation, signed an official dispatch requesting the Steering Committees of provinces and cities to proactively coordinate with the Department of Health to advise the People's Committee to strengthen the Steering Committee for Voluntary Blood Donation at all levels.
At the same time, localities are required to continue organizing blood donation sessions according to the set targets in 2025, closely coordinate with blood receiving facilities to mobilize agencies, businesses, and schools in the area to organize appropriate and effective blood donation schedules, ensuring timely blood supply for emergency and treatment.
Regarding voluntary blood donation, on the morning of July 10, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan, member of the Party Central Committee, Head of the National Steering Committee for Voluntary Blood Donation, chaired a meeting to review voluntary blood donation in the first 6 months of 2025.
At the meeting, Minister Dao Hong Lan acknowledged and highly appreciated the efforts of all levels and sectors in mobilizing and receiving voluntary blood.
In the first 6 months of 2025, the whole country received nearly 50% of the total blood volume according to the annual plan, contributing significantly to ensuring blood for emergency and treatment work for patients.
Major campaigns such as the Red Spring Festival, Red Sunday, National Voluntary Blood Donation Day on April 7, Red Summer Blood Drops, Red Journey and activities in response to International Blood Donor Day on June 14 have been implemented synchronously and effectively, spreading the spirit of humanity in the community.
However, the Minister also frankly pointed out some difficulties and problems in the implementation process, especially the impact of administrative reorganization in localities. The change of administrative boundaries and the merger of administrative units have disrupted the blood donation mobilization apparatus in many places, causing difficulties in directing, coordinating and implementing the plan.
Faced with that reality, the Minister requested that the Steering Committees at all levels quickly improve their organizations, clearly define the responsibilities of each member, and review the blood receiving, transporting, and distributing system to suit practical conditions.
In particular, it is necessary to innovate communication methods to meet the trend of people accessing information in the digital age. The application of information technology in blood donation campaigns needs to be promoted, with solutions such as building an online information system on blood donation points, reception time, blood status of each group, helping people easily monitor and register to participate.
The Minister assigned Deputy Minister Tran Van Thuan to direct the drafting of professional guidance documents, and at the same time launch the expansion of the blood collection network at public and private hospitals. The Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management was assigned to coordinate with the National Health Information Center to develop blood donation management software, increasing connectivity and efficiency in blood coordination between facilities.
Regarding the tasks for the last 6 months of the year, the Steering Committee agreed to adjust the blood donation campaign targets to match the actual situation, develop a plan for 2026 early and focus on removing difficulties in localities that have not met the targets.
The Minister emphasized that the work of mobilizing voluntary blood donation is not only the task of the health sector or the Red Cross, but also the responsibility of the entire political system. Therefore, there needs to be close coordination between departments, sectors and organizations, especially the Propaganda Department, the Mass Mobilization Department, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the Youth Union in propaganda and mobilization.
In addition, localities need to proactively develop plans to ensure logistics, supplies, and equipment for receiving blood such as blood bags, preservation equipment, transportation vehicles, etc. to avoid disruptions that affect the quality and efficiency of operations.
Inspection and supervision need to be strengthened, especially in localities that have not yet fulfilled their targets, so that timely and appropriate adjustments and support can be made.
Minister Dao Hong Lan emphasized that voluntary blood donation is a noble gesture and also a practical action to protect public health.
To ensure a stable blood supply for emergency and treatment work, each agency, unit, cadre and party member needs to uphold their sense of responsibility, actively participate and mobilize relatives and friends to respond.
The Ministry of Health and the National Steering Committee will continue to accompany and remove difficulties for localities, aiming to complete the voluntary blood donation plan goals in 2025 and the following years.
Source: https://baodautu.vn/thieu-mau-tram-trong-trong-dip-he-vien-huet-hoc-keu-goi-hien-mau-khan-cap-d328055.html
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