Sharing blood in the border area

(Baonghean) - For the first time, Ky Son border district organized a humanitarian blood donation. Muong Xen town became the center of the big festival when Thai, Kho Mu, Mong ethnic people from remote villages and hamlets and cadres, party members, and employees of agencies in the district enthusiastically went together to donate blood and save lives.

Although the humanitarian blood donation festival took place on September 10, many days before that, Hin Pen village, Bao Nam commune, Ky Son district had been discussing it enthusiastically. For the Khmu people, when they are sick, they are very afraid of going to the hospital, not to mention letting others "stick needles into their bodies and draw their blood". After a period of unsuccessful campaigning, Village Chief Cut Pho Anh decided to register himself on the first list. Seeing this, some other people in the village also felt secure and confident and started to register to go to Muong Xen town to attend the blood donation ceremony. In the Khmu people's customs, every meal cannot be without a cup of wine, but to prepare for the blood donation, Cut Pho Anh, Xeo Van Bich and some others absolutely did not drink alcohol, ate a full meal and went from Hin Pen village to town very early.

Upon arrival, many Kinh, Thai, Khmu, and Mong people from remote villages were present at the Vietnam - Laos Cultural House to register for humanitarian blood donation. After the first few minutes of feeling worried and confused, Mr. Xeo Van Bich boldly entered the blood testing area, when the program volunteers advised him: "Donating blood is to save sick people, it is not dangerous but also beneficial for health, helps rejuvenate blood components, improves resistance, and fights diseases. Donating blood many times reduces the risk of iron accumulation and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, which is very beneficial for people with too many red blood cells, iron, and thick blood. Donating blood is a way to check and monitor your health." Sharing the same sentiment as the two men in Hin Pen village, Vu Ba Xu, 34 years old, Mong ethnic group in Muong Long 1 village, Muong Long commune, was also very hesitant, because the Mong people have a very taboo concept when donating blood, fearing that "the ghost of the patient who receives the blood will haunt them". However, when he arrived at the District Cultural Center, witnessing the police officers, district People's Committee officials as well as people in Pha Danh, My Ly, Muong Tip, Muong Ai communes,... laughing and talking happily together, ready to go to the blood testing area to donate blood, Mr. Xu felt less nervous.

Thai, Khmu, Mong ethnic people (Ky Son) donate blood.

Holding a cup of ginger water, slowly drinking sip by sip, Mr. Vu No Xu, 45 years old, Mong ethnic, Vice Chairman of Na Ngoi Commune People's Committee encouraged a girl sitting next to him. Mr. Xu said that in the past, he and the people in the village were very afraid and taboo about donating blood, but when he attended courses in Vinh City as well as in Muong Xen Town, he understood the benefits of donating blood to save lives. When he heard that the District Red Cross Society coordinated with Ky Son District Youth Union and the Provincial Hematology Blood Transfusion Center to organize a humanitarian blood donation festival, Mr. Xu was the first to participate. Not only that, he also encouraged his family members and officials of Na Ngoi Commune People's Committee to attend the blood donation festival to know that "donating blood is not dangerous, but also beneficial to your health and helps many people".

Staff of the Provincial Blood Transfusion - Hematology Center preserve blood.

The blood collection area was solemnly arranged right on the main stage of the hall, under the National Emblem, National Flag and the statue of President Ho Chi Minh, making the act of the local people even more beautiful, meaningful and sacred. Besides the people of the villages and hamlets in the border area who came to town for the first time to donate blood, there were also many officials of the Ky Son District People's Committee and units such as the police, military, television station, forest rangers, customs, etc. After sitting in the chair to collect blood, Ms. Cut Thi Nguyet - Vice Chairman of the Ky Son District People's Committee, Head of the Organizing Committee of the District Blood Donation Festival confided that this was the first time in Ky Son to organize a blood donation festival. Initially, many people were worried that it would be difficult to succeed, because many villages of the Khmu, Mong and Thai people still had taboos and did not dare to give blood to others. However, with the participation of local authorities at all levels, as well as reasonable propaganda and promotion programs and direct consultation from doctors, the program received the support of many people.

During the blood donation festival, Ky Son District Police was the unit with the largest number of participants, with up to 30 people, including unit leaders and soldiers, registering to participate. Lieutenant Colonel To Van Hau - Deputy Head of Ky Son District Police affirmed: "Donating blood to save lives is a noble act, which needs to be expanded and continued to be organized in many more occasions. Officers and soldiers of Ky Son District Police are always ready to accompany humanitarian blood donation festivals". The blood donation festival in Ky Son witnessed the images of fathers and children, husbands and wives, and siblings donating blood together. Mr. Lang Thanh Luong - an officer of the Propaganda Department of Ky Son District Party Committee and his wife Le Thi Thanh Sam in Son Ha village, Ta Ca commune said that when they heard about the program, both husband and wife left their children with their grandparents and went to register to donate blood together. “The test results were all up to standard, and we both had our blood drawn, so we were very happy. As cadres and party members, we have to be exemplary and take the lead so that the villagers can trust, understand, and follow,” said Mr. Luong. According to statistics from Mr. Hoa Pho Nhon - Vice Chairman of the Red Cross Society of Ky Son district, more than 70 people of the Khmu, Mong, and Thai ethnic groups in the extremely disadvantaged villages of Ky Son district participated in donating blood. To get to Muong Xen town, many people had to walk from the village to the commune center and then take a taxi to town. Many people had to leave a whole day in advance to be on time. The district People's Committee supported 200,000 VND in travel expenses for people in remote villages. This amount of money was not enough for people to take a taxi or stay and eat in town, but everyone felt happy to contribute their efforts to donate blood to save lives.

For a long time, Ky Son has been a low-lying area of ​​the province in terms of humanitarian blood donation system. This locality has not yet built a live blood bank to be ready to transfuse blood to save people in emergency cases. Therefore, the spirit of volunteering and willingness to donate blood to save people of the officials and people here really makes professionals feel secure. Mr. Nguyen Tam Thanh - Head of Planning and Synthesis Department of the Provincial Hematology Blood Transfusion Center, deputy head of the working group in Ky Son district, said that at the blood donation festival, more than 330 people registered to be tested and donate blood. The center collected 250 units of good quality blood. The blood collection rate reached over 80%, higher than the level of some districts in the plains. After completing the blood collection, the Provincial Hematology and Blood Transfusion Center will complete the construction of a reserve blood donation team, with a full list of names, addresses, phone numbers, blood types and hand it over to Ky Son district so that the District General Hospital can take the initiative in blood sources in emergency cases.

Article and photos:Nguyen Khoa