The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) today (April 28) urgently appealed to members of the public to donate blood as the blood inventories have been depleted to a very low level. The blood inventories must be duly replenished to maintain a stable blood supply for clinical transfusion to patients.
With fewer people going out under the COVID-19 epidemic, the quantity of blood collection from donor centres, mobile blood drives and blood donation vehicles has significantly dropped. The stock level cannot meet the daily blood demand for local hospitals. Recent clinical transfusions for critical illnesses, organ transplants and emergency operations, as well as blood demand from thalassemia and blood cancer patients, only add pressure to the blood stock. The BTS urges all sectors of the community to take action and support blood donations immediately.
As a token of thanks, all successful blood donors (till May 8) will receive an "I'm a blood donor" denim cooler bag, while stocks last. To avoid crowd gatherings and long waiting times at the donor centres, donors are advised to make an appointment by calling to the BTS donor centres or via HK Blood mobile apps. Most BTS donor centres are open during the Birthday of the Buddha and Labour Day holidays. For details, please visit www.ha.org.hk/rcbts.
Donate Blood Now!
Download HK Blood to locate the nearest donor centre across the city and make an appointment for donation:
IOS:https://itunes.apple.com/hk/app/hk-blood/id1387423207?mt=8
Android:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=hk.org.ha.btsmapps&rdid=hk.org.ha.btsmapps
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