Youngster donates blood at a blood donation festival in Hà Nội. — VNS Photo Thanh Hải

HÀ NỘI — Health experts and scientists discussed their latest research in haematology and blood transfusions at a national conference in Hà Nội on November 26 and 27.

Speaking at the event, director of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT) Bạch Quốc Khánh said that increasing the number of regular blood donors to ensure stable and safe blood supplies to meet emergency and treatment demands was among the key tasks of the haematology and blood transfusion sector in 2021. This would minimise shortages that often occurred between blood drives.

The NIHBT director said the number of regular blood donors in the country was low compared to many neighboring countries.

“Hà Nội has 200,000 regular blood donors every year. If each one (regular donor) donates blood once a year, the city would have at least 200,000 units of blood that would meet the city's demand for emergencies and treatment,” said Khánh.

Khánh said 2020 had been a challenging year for the health sector due to the COVID-19 pandemic that had affected all aspects of social life. However, the NIHBT has been proactive and creative in mobilising blood donors and safely receiving and supplying blood, contributing to the overall success of the country‘s fight against COVID-19,” said Khánh. 

“Under great pressure for both treatment and prevention of epidemics, haematology experts and health workers are constantly learning and researching to improve the quality of diagnosis and treatment of blood diseases and haematopoietic organs.  These efforts are reflected in the scientific research projects presented at the conference, with high practical value for blood transfusions and treatment, along with patient care,” said Khánh.

At the annual event, delegates discussed new findings and exchanged expertise through nearly 100 scientific reports in the fields of clinical haematology, subclinical haematology, blood transfusions, stem cell transplants and genetics - molecular biology.

Participants heard that in 2020, the blood transfusion sector had implemented an overall nucleic acid testing method, increased the ability to control infectious diseases through blood transfusions and standardised the process of preparing blood products. The sector also improved blood transfusion efficiency and put forward the application of information technology for the management of blood donors and the quality of blood.

Many advances on targeted drugs in the treatment of blood cancer were applied successfully, bringing good quality of life with a long life span for the sick. An epidemiological survey on congenital haemolysis was also carried out nationwide in combination with a genetic screening programme, gradually reducing the number of children born with congenital haemolytic disease in Việt Nam. — VNS