HÀ NỘI — Vice President Đặng Thị Ngọc Thịnh officially started the 12th Xuân Hồng (Spring) blood drive at a ceremony in Hà Nội on Sunday.

The year’s largest blood drive aims to collect at least 5,000 units of blood from 12,000 participants, mainly young people and students, from February 22 to 24.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Health Minister Trương Quốc Cường highlighted the event as an important measure for the health sector to ensure blood safety while saving the lives of sick patients and getting the community to join hands. 

Cường said the need for blood was rising while donation drives were infrequent. Việt Nam needed to conduct more drives in offices and in the community. Relevant authorities should work to improve the quality and safety of blood transfusions, he said.

Vice President Đặng Thị Ngọc Thịnh officially starts the 12th Xuân Hồng (Spring) blood drive during a ceremony in Hà Nội on February 23. — Photo NIHBT

The National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion’s director, Dr Bạch Quốc Khánh, hoped the event would minimise blood shortages in Hà Nội and other localities caused by the low number of people donating blood during, before and after Tết (Lunar New Year). 

Hà Nội’s People’s Committee Deputy Chairman Ngô Văn Quý said the annual event had changed people’s awareness of voluntary blood donation and become a heartwarming act of kindness by people living in Hà Nội.  

This year’s drive includes a street walk, camping, a music gala and folk games with the participation of many famous names.

People donate blood at the 12th Xuân Hồng (Spring) blood drive in Hà Nội on February 23. — VNS/Photo Thanh Hải

The event received 3,163 units on the second day, bringing the event’s total to 4,297 units, according to the event organisation board.

Organised by the NIHBT and the Hà Nội Steering Committee for Voluntarily Blood Donation Mobilisation, the event aims to handle blood shortages due to the decline of blood donors after Tết and meet the increasing demand for emergency treatment at the 170 hospitals in the north.

Launched in 2008, the drive has made important contributions to addressing blood shortages. Nearly 70,000 units have been collected with the participation of more than 200,000 people. — VNS

Vice President Đặng Thị Ngọc Thịnh checks up on the blood donors who participate in the 12th Xuân Hồng (Spring) blood drive. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Ngọc

Vice President Đặng Thị Ngọc Thịnh attends the 12th Xuân Hồng (Spring) blood drive. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Ngọc