Measures taken to refill blood stocks
Published: 02 Nov. 2009, 21:14
Emergency measures to restock the nation’s dwindling blood stocks have been announced by the Health Ministry.
Less blood is in circulation because some would-be donors are steering clear of crowded public spaces such as blood donation stations on fears of catching the A(H1N1) virus.
The Republic of Korea National Red Cross had a seven-day reserve until late September, the ministry said, but reserves have fallen steadily because of the spread of the flu.
As of Friday, there is only a three-day supply ready for use, the ministry said.
The ministry said yesterday that it will enact an emergency measure to get more people from the military and college campuses to give blood and keep blood donation stations nationwide open for longer because blood reserves have dwindled due to the recent A(H1N1) influenza scare.
The emergency measure will delay closing times until 8 p.m. on weekdays, weekends and holidays at 100 donation stations across the country, except ones at universities and examination offices for new drivers.
In addition, the ministry is going to consult with other ministries, including the Ministry of National Defense, on ways to urge blood donors from large groups, like college students, to visit the stations.
The ministry is also planning to urge hospitals and clinics nationwide to use blood efficiently and enlarge their pool of donors.
“We have had no reports of people catching the new flu through blood donations,” Sohn Young-rae, head of the Division of Public Health Care at the ministry, said, adding that people who have recovered from the flu can give blood seven days after recovery. The Red Cross said 65 percent of blood donors are individuals and group donations making up the remainder.
By Lee Min-yong [[email protected]]
Less blood is in circulation because some would-be donors are steering clear of crowded public spaces such as blood donation stations on fears of catching the A(H1N1) virus.
The Republic of Korea National Red Cross had a seven-day reserve until late September, the ministry said, but reserves have fallen steadily because of the spread of the flu.
As of Friday, there is only a three-day supply ready for use, the ministry said.
The ministry said yesterday that it will enact an emergency measure to get more people from the military and college campuses to give blood and keep blood donation stations nationwide open for longer because blood reserves have dwindled due to the recent A(H1N1) influenza scare.
The emergency measure will delay closing times until 8 p.m. on weekdays, weekends and holidays at 100 donation stations across the country, except ones at universities and examination offices for new drivers.
In addition, the ministry is going to consult with other ministries, including the Ministry of National Defense, on ways to urge blood donors from large groups, like college students, to visit the stations.
The ministry is also planning to urge hospitals and clinics nationwide to use blood efficiently and enlarge their pool of donors.
“We have had no reports of people catching the new flu through blood donations,” Sohn Young-rae, head of the Division of Public Health Care at the ministry, said, adding that people who have recovered from the flu can give blood seven days after recovery. The Red Cross said 65 percent of blood donors are individuals and group donations making up the remainder.
By Lee Min-yong [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.
Standards Board Policy (0/250자)