The 14th Red Spring Festival will take place from March 1 to 7 at the NIHBT and three blood donation venues in Hoàn Kiếm, Thanh Xuân and Đống Đa districts. — VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — More than 85,000 units of blood have been collected from donors at the Xuân Hồng (Red Spring) festival over the past 13 years and the organisers are hoping for a surge in donations as this year's festival begins.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 14th Red Spring Festival in Hà Nội on Sunday, head of the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT), Bạch Quốc Khánh, said the festival has helped ease blood shortages after the Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday and contributed to strengthening community awareness about voluntary blood donations.

Two young foreigners donates blood at a blood donation venue in Hoàn Kiếm District, Hà Nội.— Photo NIHBT

The COVID-19 pandemic broke out again in many provinces and cities before Tết, greatly affecting the blood supply to hospitals.

According to Khánh, many blood donation events were postponed or cancelled and the amount of reserved blood sometimes is only enough for 2-3 days.

Youngsters donates blood at the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion in Hà Nội. — VNS/Photo Thanh Hải

The NIHBT, many blood transfusion centres and hospitals nationwide have called on the community to donate blood urgently to save more patients who need blood transfusions.

With the help of departments, organisations and people, the NIHBT collected more than 10,000 blood units in just two weeks after the Lunar New Year.

Young people donate blood at a blood donation venue in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo

The 14th Red Spring Festival will take place from March 1 to 7 at the NIHBT and three blood donation venues in Hoàn Kiếm, Thanh Xuân and Đống Đa districts. 

The event is expected to collect more than 4,000 units of blood, supplying blood to nearly 180 hospitals and medical establishments in 28 provinces and cities in the northern region.

Regulations on COVID-19 prevention will be ensured at blood donation venues, the organising board said. — VNS