The Red Cross has appealed for blood donations, especially of types O, A and B whose inventory is down to a “very low” level of less than four days’ supply, while AB has an “acceptable” seven to eight days’ supply.
To attract more donors, the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood
Transfusion Service (BTS) will be giving out, as a token of appreciation, a Captain
Blood New Year Goodie Bag to those who donate successfully from January 29 to
February 1, while stocks last.
The BTS, the only public institution providing blood to all
hospitals in Hong Kong, needs 650 units of blood daily to meet the needs of public
and private hospital across the city.
PRESS THIS FOR DETAILS |
Over the past month, however, the BTS collected an average
of around 500 units of blood daily, with a shortfall of 150 units.
“If the situation continues, clinical blood transfusion
treatments could be affected,” it added.
Blood collection has dropped around 20 per cent this January,
as compared to the same period last year, due to the influenza season, during
which many registered blood donors were unable to donate because they fell
sick, or were traveling abroad during the holidays.
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PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
Dr Lee Cheuk-kwong, BTS chief executive and medical director,
said, "There's a significant increase in the number of cases that require
large amount of blood products this month. We have received 14 cases requiring
a large amount of blood for transfusion and 247 units of blood were needed for
the cases of lung transplant, liver transplant, post-partum hemorrhage, blood
cancer, heart diseases and thalassemia major etc."
Most BTS donor centres will be open during the Chinese New
Year to accept donations from members of the public aged between 16 and 65,
weighing 41 kilograms or above and in good health are eligible to give blood.
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Basahin ang detalye! |
The BTS reminds donors to make an appointment via the
"HK Blood" mobile app, or by calling BTS donor centres. The "HK
Blood" mobile app users will receive double points to redeem rewards for
successful donation until January 28. For details, visit: www.ha.org.hk/rcbts.