Blood Transfusion Centre Issues Appeal For Donors
Source: Vientiane Times
The National Blood Transfusion Centre, run by the Lao Red Cross, is calling on members of the public to give blood urgently, saying it is needed for the treatment of Covid-19 at hospitals around the country.
The centre issued an appeal on Friday, stating that supplies of blood are running low and stocks need to be replenished.
People can donate blood at the centre in Vientiane and at provincial blood centres across the country.
The National Blood Transfusion Centre is located in Xieng Yuen village, Chanthabouly district. For more information about provincial blood centres, call 021 214 763.
The centre’s Director, Dr Chanthala Souksakhone, told Vientiane Times they hope to collect 64,000 bags of blood this year and are aiming for 5,334 bags a month.
“We need blood because of the Covid-19 outbreak and the extra call for blood over Lao New Year,” he said. More people need blood after being involved in road and other accidents or following a miscarriage, he added.
He called on everyone to donate blood so that more people could be helped and more lives saved.
Dr Chanthala said staff had worked hard to bolster blood stocks and ensure a sufficient supply to meet the growing needs of hospitals around the country. The centre has run regular publicity campaigns on radio, television and online media to encourage more people to give blood.
These campaigns have been successful and people from all walks of life, including students, soldiers, police personnel, businesspeople and local residents have come forward to donate blood.
There are blood donation centres in 17 provinces which service 30 district blood service networks.
Over the past five years, the National Blood Transfusion Centre has collected 251,564 bags of blood, exceeding the target of 249,700 bags.
But although the target number of bags has been collected, this is not enough to meet current hospital needs and the public is asked to be generous and come forward to donate more blood.
