Việt Nam marks the 30th anniversary of the humanitarian blood donation movement

Delegates sign a memorandum of coordination in voluntary blood donation in Việt Nam. — Photo NIHBT

HÀ NỘI — In 30 years of blood donation movement, Việt Nam has had more than 21.3 million donors with tens of thousands of people donating blood 30 – 50 times, even 170 times.

In 2023, Việt Nam received more than 1.5 million blood units and the country’s rate of voluntary blood donation has reached 99 per cent.

A ceremony was held to celebrate the 30th anniversary of launching the humanitarian blood donation movement in Việt Nam (January 24, 1994 – January 24, 2024) in Hà Nội on January 20.

Speaking at the event, Associate Professor, Director of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT) Nguyễn Hà Thanh said that the past 30 years had truly been a “revolution” that has changed the perception of millions of people about voluntary blood donation.

Voluntary blood donation activities have become a movement with widespread influence, attracting and receiving the attention of the entire society.

“If in the past, the main force of blood donors was young people and students, now the force of blood donors is expanding to all sectors of society regardless of age, gender, profession, ethnicity or religion,” said Thanh.

Students donate blood at the 2024 Chủ nhật đỏ (Red Sunday) Blood Donation Campaign. —VNS Photo Thanh Hải

In the period before 1994, Việt Nam only received about 100,000 units of blood yearly, of which the voluntary blood donation rate was less than 10 per cent.

However, in 1994, the first year Việt Nam launched the humanitarian blood donation movement, the amount of blood received by the whole country increased much more than in previous years, with 138,000 blood units, the voluntary blood donation rate reached 14.5 per cent, according to Thanh.

“Since 2014, each year the country has received over 1 million units of blood. The amount of blood received in 2023 is 11 times higher than in 1994, and the voluntary blood donation rate has now reached 99 per cent. In addition, the whole country has established five regional blood transfusion centres, thereby improving efficiency in blood reception, screening tests and preparation of blood products and the quality of treatment for hospitals,” said Thanh.

At the event, Health Minister Đào Hồng Lan praised the great contributions of the National Steering Committee for Voluntary Blood Donation Campaign, the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion and the cooperation of the entire political and social system, especially the joint efforts of many people from all walks of life throughout the country to voluntary blood donation activities.

Lan suggested humanitarian blood donation movement should focus on developing solutions to maintain and develop a more stable and sustainable source of voluntary blood donors, ensuring a safe blood source and quality treatment for patients from the central line to localities, including remote areas, border areas, and islands.

Lan said: “Priorities should be given to continue to improve the quality of communication, mobilisation and organisation of blood donation and promote the mobilisation of repeat blood donors, regular blood donors, and blood donors with a volume of 350ml or more.”

In addition, Minister Lan requested medical facilities to apply digital transformation in health care to manage blood donors and blood units; connect information and build a unified blood donor database between localities, blood centres and hospitals nationwide. — VNS