Blood donors at the Red Journey programme in Lang Son province (Photo: VNA) It is a journey of sharinglove, compassion, and solidarity among millions of Vietnamese hearts, bringinglife and happiness to countless families of patients.
Themovement started in the wartime, when soldiers selflessly gave blood to theirinjured comrades amid limited healthcare conditions. After the war, bloodtransfusion was carried out mainly at large hospitals that had surgerydepartments. The majority of blood came from professional blood sellers andhealth workers, unable to meet demand.
Strongchanges started in the early 1980s, when professors Bach Quoc Tuyen, Ton ThatTung, and many other leading experts nationwide conducted many talks andconsultations to change people's perception of blood donation and call for voluntary blood donation.
Blooddonation demand surged in the 1990s, when the country entered the “Doi moi” (Renewal)period. However, the explosion of HIV/AIDS then posed a serious risk to thesafety of blood transfusion, leading to frequent blood shortages for treatment nationwide.
Thefirst humanitarian blood donation event was held on January 24, 1994, openingup a new chapter of the voluntary blood donation movement that now involvespeople from all social strata.
Themovement is not only a symbol of humanity but also a demonstration ofsolidarity and sharing, helping build a strong and healthy community.
The voluntary blood donationmovement also witnessed reforms and creativity in approaches and organisationmethods. The use of technology, social media, and other media channels has helpedattract widespread participation from the public. Blood donation events have beenorganised in an increasingly professional and creative manner, capturing theattention and involvement of a large number of people.
Alarge number of activities have been held and left strong ripple effect such asthe blood donation campaign ahead of the Lunar New Year, the Red SpringFestival, the Summer Red Drops, and the Red Journey, or the events held on theoccasion of the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day (April 7) and the World Blood DonorDay (June 14).
Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan (second, right) visits child patients at the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion in Hanoi on January 20, 2024. (Photo: VNA) In addition, the movement has contributed to the development and modernisation of the blood transfusionsector in Vietnam. Blood screening and processing methods have been improved,thus enhancing the quality and efficiency of donated blood utilisation.
Recognition and rewards forvoluntary blood donors have also been emphasised. In 2007, the NationalInstitute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT) held the first ceremonyto honour 100 exemplary blood donors from across the country.
Thirty years since themovement was launched, more than 21.3 million people nationwide haveparticipated in blood donation, with tens of thousands being exemplaryvoluntary blood donors, some donating for 30, 50, or even over 100 times.
In 2023, Vietnam maderemarkable progress when it received more than 1.5 million blood units, and 99%of donors voluntarily shared their blood.
The movement has attractedpeople from all walks of life such as police, the military, civil servants,public employees, workers, farmers, students, monks, and nuns.
Prof. Nguyen Anh Tri, former Directorof the NIHBT, held that the humanitarian blood donation movement has trulydeveloped and is highly sustainable.
Its pinnacle is national-levelblood donation events, some of which have even gained internationalrecognition. It took many other countries 50 years or even more to spread thevoluntary blood donation movement as deeply and widely as in Vietnam, he added.
Withsupport from the Government and unceasing efforts by people, this movement isexpected to reap even greater achievements in ensuring safe and efficient bloodsupply for the community./.
VNA
