Nghe An: Blood donation shortage during the summer
Blood shortages, especially blood type ischemia during the summer months, are a constant concern for the healthcare sector. In Nghe An, this problem becomes even more challenging as the main source of blood donors is students entering their long summer holidays.
Severe blood shortage during the summer.
According to Dr. Nguyen Dinh Khue, a specialist in internal medicine and an Outstanding Physician, Director of the Hematology and Blood Transfusion Center of Nghe An province, blood shortages during summer, holidays, and Tet (Lunar New Year) have become a "common occurrence".
However, this year's situation is predicted to be more "intense" than in previous years.
The core reason for the severe blood shortage in June and July was that the primary blood donation force, consisting of students, began their summer vacation, returning home or traveling. This led to a significant decrease in blood collection at locations with large gatherings of people.
In addition, a new "bottleneck" has emerged regarding the organization of blood donation at the grassroots level. After the implementation of the two-tiered local government model, many officials at the commune and ward levels are still unfamiliar with and lack experience in mobilizing and organizing blood donations.
While previously blood donation drives in localities typically achieved 90-110% of their targets, this rate has now dropped to only 60% to 75%. In some areas, 200 units of blood were registered, but only about 120 units were actually received.
Currently, the Nghe An Hematology and Blood Transfusion Center is responsible for supplying blood to 54 medical facilities in the two provinces of Nghe An and Ha Tinh.
Of these, 43 facilities regularly receive blood on a daily or weekly basis to support treatment.
On average, the center needs to dispense between 240 and 360 units of blood and blood products each day. To meet this demand, approximately 500 blood donors are needed daily to ensure the blood bank does not reach a critical level.
However, in reality, doctors in hospitals still have to be very cautious and economical, only prescribing blood transfusions when absolutely necessary due to the limited supply.
5 strategic solutions to overcome
In response to this situation, the Steering Committee for Voluntary Blood Donation in Nghe An province and the Nghe An Hematology and Blood Transfusion Center have been implementing five strategic solutions: Firstly, establishing a "Repeat Blood Donor Bank".
The center now has a complete database of all blood donors (numbering in the millions across the province). This is a valuable resource that allows the center to proactively solicit blood donations when blood stocks are low.
Secondly, the network will be expanded to industrial zones. The center will sign contracts with businesses and industrial zones to organize blood donation drives right at workers' residences and living areas, helping to compensate for the blood shortage from schools.
Thirdly, strengthen communication through social media. The Steering Committee for Voluntary Blood Donation in Nghe An province and the Nghe An Center for Hematology and Blood Transfusion are utilizing the reach of social media to awaken compassion among the people, helping them quickly access information about the blood shortage.
Fourth, flexibility in blood donation organization. Currently, instead of waiting for large numbers, the Center is ready to send teams to collect blood even when there are only groups of 50 people registering to donate, implementing the principle of "gathering many small baskets into a large basket" to overcome blood shortages.
Finally, the center actively applies management and coordination software. Specifically, it uses technology to closely monitor blood levels in the warehouse, thereby coordinating blood allocation; delaying donations of blood types that are already in sufficient supply and focusing on mobilizing people with rare or scarce blood types to donate.
Specialist Doctor Nguyen Dinh Khue stated: Every drop of blood donated is a life given to the world. Let everyone give so that life may receive in return. The collective effort of the community at this time is the most precious "medicine" to help patients waiting for blood overcome the line between life and death during these summer days.
