(Fighting New Coronary Pneumonia) Hong Kong's blood stocks are in desperate situation. Lions Club launches "City of Love Blood Donation Campaign"
China News Service, Hong Kong, August 7th (Wang Jiacheng) Affected by the epidemic, Hong Kong citizens' desire to donate blood has declined, and Hong Kong's blood inventory has dropped to an extremely low level. In order to maintain a stable blood inventory, Leung Lixian, the director and doctor of the Lions Clubs International District 303 (Lions Clubs), Hong Kong and Macau, China, joined the district members to donate blood at the Red Cross Mong Kok Blood Donation Station on August 7.
Li Zhuoguang, the medical director of the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service Center, said that starting from the second week of July, affected by the epidemic, the public's willingness to donate blood has generally been reduced. Only about 200 people donate blood every day, while the previous day may receive 500 packets of blood. By the end of July, the blood inventory was only enough for hospital use for 3 to 4 days, which was an extremely low level. After appeals, the amount of blood donated by citizens has risen. Nearly 1,000 people donated blood every day this week. The current blood inventory has risen to 5-6 days. "But the epidemic may continue for a while. I hope that more institutions and friends will donate to maintain the blood inventory. It is expected that if 500 packs of donated blood can be received every day, the stock will be stable."
Li Zhuoguang said that some blood donation stations in Hong Kong were unable to operate due to the epidemic, and the enthusiastic donations from Lions Clubs and other member organizations have greatly helped. He reminded that citizens who are willing to donate blood must meet the requirement of no travel history and no exit records within 28 days before blood donation; no history of contact with confirmed cases of new crowns, if they have been confirmed patients of new crowns, they cannot donate blood within 180 days. Before blood donation, it is best to make an appointment to help the Red Cross make arrangements in advance and reduce the flow of people. Blood donors can also avoid waiting too long. "In the future, blood donation service points will delay their operation time, hoping to effectively reduce the flow of people."
He also emphasized that citizens who donate blood should wear masks and pay attention to personal hygiene. “If you feel unwell after the blood donation, or if someone around you is diagnosed, please inform the Red Cross immediately. Now it’s summer, and blood donors can drink more water to rehydrate.”
Liang Lixian, who has donated blood more than 30 times, said that the relationship between Lions and the Red Cross has been very close, including full support for the operation of mobile blood donation vehicles. "This time the Red Cross blood inventory is in a hurry, the Lions Club is obliged to do so. We also call on the public to donate blood to help stabilize Hong Kong's blood inventory." (End)