One blood donation can save at least 3 people, but many people have reduced travel during the epidemic, which indirectly affects blood donation activities. The Red Cross has repeatedly rushed to the blood bank. A survey found that in the first two years following the outbreak, the number of people donating blood dropped by 60%. At the peak of the fifth wave of the epidemic, 87% of people said they did not donate blood, and more than 83% said they did not donate blood once more following the epidemic eased. The Society for Clinical Blood Management expressed concern regarding the situation and suggested that companies and academic institutions should be more active in re-organizing blood donation days.
In July, the Hong Kong Society for Clinical Blood Management commissioned the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute to interview 452 citizens aged 18 to 50 through questionnaires. 63% of the respondents had donated blood, but 78% of them were not regular blood donors. Among the citizens who had donated blood, during the first four waves of the epidemic, the number of blood donations decreased from an average of 1 per year before the epidemic to 0.4; during the peak of the fifth wave of the epidemic, 87% said that they did not donate blood, and more than 83% said that After the epidemic eased, he did not donate blood once more. 38% of former blood donors reduced their willingness to donate blood due to the epidemic, mainly because they were worried regarding going out for infection (71%), not in the mood to donate blood due to the epidemic (68%), and the habit of donating blood was interrupted (63%). Zheng Hongjia, chairman of the society, pointed out that the epidemic has caused many respondents to express that they have lost the habit of donating blood, and the situation is worrying.
The survey also revealed that respondents had misunderstandings regarding the use of blood. Twenty-seven percent believed that non-emergency medical services would be reduced during the epidemic, and blood needs would also be reduced. Surgery was the patient group that used the most blood (92%). Ho Biyi, a member of the society, pointed out that even if non-emergency medical services are reduced, many patients with chronic diseases, such as chronic kidney disease and thalassemia major, still need blood transfusions to continue their lives. Last year, the groups that used the most blood were internal medicine and geriatrics, accounting for 52% of the total blood consumption.
Blood storage period is only 5 to 42 days
In addition, many respondents did not know or overestimate the storage period of blood. He Biyi pointed out that the shelf life of different blood components ranges from 5 days to 42 days, and the “lifespan” of blood is very short. In addition, the survey found that 13% of the respondents mistakenly believed that there was “artificial blood” in Hong Kong, while 60% said they did not know. She emphasized that “artificial blood” is still under research and there is absolutely no substitute for blood.
Zhou Yufa, the former president of the society, said that with the development of science and technology, medical institutions should also improve the blood management model. For example, when diagnosing and treating patients with heart failure, the use of erythropoietic agents, iron pills or iron injections can promote the production of red blood cells, which can reduce part of the need for blood transfusions. He also believes that it is “difficult but not impossible” for society to regain the habit of blood donation. It is only necessary to make the public understand the importance of blood donation. If the blood stock is insufficient, the priority of blood transfusion may be allocated according to the urgency of the patient, and some operations may need to be postponed at that time. back.
Originally published on AM730 https://www.am730.com.hk/local/citizens donated blood by 60%-83-people no longer donate blood following the epidemic eased/341418?utm_source=yahoorss&utm_medium=referral
