Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính meets with outstanding voluntary blood donors. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính met with 100 outstanding voluntary blood donors nationwide on Saturday, who are in Hà Nội for a special programme honouring their good deeds. 

Speaking at the meeting, the Government leader said the 100 exemplary blood donors were beautiful symbols of humanity, demonstrating compassion and positive energy in the community and society. 

"You are truly living evidence and bright examples of goodness, contributing to building a compassionate community and a humane society, upholding the nation's fine traditions and inspiring others in the cause of national construction and defence," PM Chính said.

The Party and State always created favourable conditions for blood donation, he said, citing Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng’s blood donation appeal in April 2020 when COVID-19 was developing.

The PM also lauded the National Steering Committee for Voluntary Blood Donation, the Ministry of Health, the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRC), the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, the Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union, and ministries and agencies for their efforts and contributions to the blood donation campaign.

The drive needed a wide response from the public, he stressed, asking the health ministry, the VRC and the steering committee to review and supplement regulations for blood donors and continue addressing obstacles to voluntary blood donation, with attention paid to its quality, safety and sustainability.

The leader suggested promoting digital transformation in this field and stepping up communications activities, expressing his hope and belief that the 100 individuals would play an active role in promoting such good deeds.

Of the 100 representatives honoured this year, there are 20 women, 16 in the education sector, eight in healthcare, seven in the armed forces, and three are ethnic minority people. The oldest is 61 years old and the youngest is 22.

Ten of them have donated blood between 19-29 times, 60 have donated between 30-49 times, and two have even hit over 100 donations.

Since the establishment of the National Steering Committee for Voluntary Blood Donation in 2008, more than 16 million blood units have been collected, 99 per cent of which have come from voluntary donors.

Each year's donation is always higher than the previous one, moving from 500,000 units in 2008 to 1.4 million units in 2022, according to Minister of Health Đào Hồng Lan.

All cities, provinces and districts have set up their own steering committees for voluntary blood donation.

This is the 15th year that the programme has been organised. Up to 1,500 blood donors have been commended over the past years. — VNS