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That's why we have to donate blood. In fact, some research shows that Koreans donate more blood than Japan or the United States. After all, there is a need to find a solution elsewhere, but it is necessary to think about the point that there are many unnecessary blood transfusions in Korea.

I am a medical journalist Cho Dong-chan.

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Park's grandmother's family, who is scheduled for lung cancer surgery at the National Cancer Center on January 8, next week, is looking for someone to donate blood for her wife's surgery.

[Kim Yong-hak / Lung cancer surgery patient Husband: I'm a husband (70 years old or older), but my granddaughter told her friend and agreed. His son-in-law is not directly related to blood, so I have to donate it.]

The situation is urgent, so I asked my acquaintances, but the problem is that blood safety may be lower.

[Gong Sun-young / Head of the Department of Diagnostic Examination, National Cancer Center: (When designated blood donation) Even if there is a reason for not being able to donate something (if you don't donate it) It may be inaccurate, increasing your risk.]

Every year, we looked at what percentage of the people involved in blood donation, and Korea is 5.6%, higher than Japan, the United States, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Why is there a lack of blood?

The National Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service analyzed the actual condition of knee joint surgery, which is an indicator of proper blood transfusion, in 734 senior hospitals in Korea, and 62% were prescribed blood transfusions, many of which were unnecessary.

[Kim Jun-Yeon / Health Management Division, Division of Blood Safety Surveillance: According to the guidelines, there was a case where the blood transfusion was not necessary.

Unnecessary blood transfusions can increase your risk of infection.

Indeed, both domestic and international studies have shown that patients who receive blood transfusions have twice as many infections and mortality rates and longer hospital stays.

In addition to voluntary improvement efforts by the medical community, there is a need for a system to establish guidelines that can prevent blood waste.

(Video coverage: Jang Unsuk, Video editing: Park Jinhoon)

▶ "I don't have enough blood" Neither emergency patients nor hospitals lack blood