Blood reserves urgently supplemented for hospitals

Compared to a month ago, the blood reserves at hospitals in Dong Nai province have significantly improved.

People participating in voluntary blood donation drive at Dong Nai General Hospital. Photo: Hanh Dung

To ensure sufficient blood reserves for emergency response and patient treatment, hospitals across the province have been proactively coordinating and organizing multiple voluntary blood donation drives. Thuan My ITO Dong Nai Hospital, located in Tran Bien Ward, Dong Nai Province, has a scale of 150 beds. On average, the hospital uses 50-60 units of blood per month, mainly packed red blood cells.

Vu Trong Tam, head technician of the Laboratory Department at Thuan My ITO Dong Nai Hospital, said that before and after the provincial merger, the hospital faced significant challenges with blood reserves due to limited supply from the Blood Transfusion Center of Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. Among the most affected were blood types A and O. However, at present, the hospital's blood reserves have increased, meeting the demands for emergency care and surgery.

Similarly, although blood reserves are still not truly abundant, the Hematology Department at Thong Nhat General Hospital no longer has to "agonize over weighing and counting every single unit of blood" as it once did.

Ho Thi Phuong Anh, Specialist II Doctor, Head of Hematology Department, Thong Nhat General Hospital, said: About a month ago, the hospital was in a serious blood shortage, having to go to the Blood Transfusion Center of Cho Ray Hospital every day to receive blood, but the quantity was very small. Now the blood reserves are more abundant, and the hospital no longer has to postpone surgeries due to blood shortage.

At Dong Nai General Hospital, with the flexible coordination and efforts of the medical team, especially the Department of Hematology - Blood Transfusion, the hospital is still ensuring enough blood for emergencies.

Le Van Thong Nhat, Specialist II Doctor, Head of Hematology - Blood Transfusion Department, Dong Nai General Hospital, shared: The department currently has about 200 units of blood reserves of all 4 blood types, O, A, B, and AB, and the blood bank is being "filled" daily. After receiving nearly 500 units of donated blood on August 16, the hospital's blood reserves will continue to increase, meeting the needs for emergency and treatment at the hospital.

According to Dr. Nhat, cancer patients currently make up the group in greatest need of blood transfusions, followed by those with chronic hematological conditions such as congenital hemolytic anemia, malignant blood disorders, and patients undergoing major surgeries.

Ha Trung Kien, Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial Red Cross Society, called on the community to actively participate in voluntary blood donation to not only save patients’ lives today but also ensure medical security for the community as a whole.

Donating a blood drop is giving a hope

Blood is not only a "special preventive medicine" in medical science but is also considered an element of national medical security. Since 2002, regional blood transfusion centers have been established to ensure a sufficient supply of blood reserves for provinces and cities nationwide.

Ha Trung Kien, Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial Red Cross Society, said: In 2025, the society will coordinate with the Blood Transfusion Center of Cho Ray Hospital and relevant units to organize 150 voluntary blood donation drives with the goal of receiving nearly 50 thousand units of blood. In August alone, it is 6.5 thousand units of blood.

According to Ha Trung Kien, humanitarian blood donation has now become a regular activity rather than just a movement as it was in the past. Many people consider voluntary blood donation an essential part of their lives. To ensure the continuity of voluntary blood donation efforts, the association will advise the Provincial People's Committee to strengthen and reorganize the Provincial Voluntary Blood Donation Mobilization Board. At the same time, it will recommend that the Provincial People's Committee direct communes and wards to establish local-level voluntary blood donation mobilization boards to continue outreach and encourage active public participation in blood donation programs.

Having donated blood 30 times, Ngo Tien Dung, a resident of Tam Hiep Ward, Dong Nai Province, shared: Each time, I donate 350ml of blood. The most recent was on August 15, when I donated at Bien Hoa Church. After donating, I feel healthier and happier, knowing that my drop of blood could help a patient in need.

Arriving early at Dong Nai General Hospital with the desire to donate blood, Le Van Truong, a resident of Tran Bien Ward, Dong Nai Province, shared: In previous times, I arrived at the donation site around 9 a.m., but the registration forms were already gone, so this time I came at 7 a.m. I hope meaningful acts like this can spread widely throughout the community, multiplying love and compassion.

To maintain a sustainable blood reserve, Dong Nai General Hospital recently coordinated with the Blood Transfusion Center of Cho Ray Hospital and the Dong Nai Provincial Red Cross to establish a fixed voluntary blood donation site at Dong Nai General Hospital, starting from the end of August 2025.

Nguyen Tat Trung, Specialist Level I Doctor and Head of the Planning Department at Dong Nai General Hospital, shared: In the initial phase, the hospital plans to hold three blood donation sessions per week, then gradually increase to daily sessions throughout the year. The goal is to receive 10,000 units of donated blood annually to supply hospitals across the province. In addition to the fixed donation site, the hospital will also coordinate the organization of mobile blood donation drives in communes and wards throughout the province.

By: Hanh Dung

Translated by: Mai Nga-Minho