Blood donor centres extend service hours under severe blood supply shortage
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The spokesperson for Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) today (August 11) appeals to members of the public for donating blood immediately since the inventories of all blood types are depleted to its severe shortage level. Public support is crucial to ensure a stable blood supply and clinical transfusion treatment of patients will not be disrupted.
The service hours of Central District, Shatin, Kwun Tong and Yuen Long Donor Centres will be extended to 8pm from August 12 to 20 to facilitate blood donation by members of the public. Details are as follows:
Central District Donor Centre
1/F, Tung Ming Building, 40-42 Des Voeux Road Central, Central
Service hours: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 8pm
Shatin Donor Centre
1/F, Hong Kong Red Cross Bradbury Shatin Centre, 1A Shatin Centre Street, Sha Tin
Service hours: Monday to Sunday, 11am to 8pm
Kwun Tong Donor Centre
Units 2301 and 2316, 23/F, Millennium City 5, 418 Kwun Tong Road, Kwun Tong
Service hours: Monday to Sunday, 11am to 8pm
Yuen Long Donor Centre
Unit Nos. 704-705, 7/F, Yuen Long Landmark, 115-127 Yuen Long Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long
Service hours: Monday to Sunday, 11am to 8pm
The spokesperson remarked that the blood collection level in the past few weeks have continuously been decreasing which might be due to unstable weather condition. The number of prospective donors has not reached the daily target of 1,100. Furthermore, with prevailing seasonal influenza and school summer holidays, the supply and demand of blood are now under great pressure. Compared to the same period in 2016, the amount of blood collected in June and July 2017 was reduced by about 6,000 units. Only when more people get into the habit of regular donation, we will be able to secure a sufficient blood supply for chronically and critically ill patients throughout the year.
Anyone who is aged between 16 and 60 (donation is possible up to the age of 70 if predetermined conditions are met), weighs over 41kg and in good health is eligible to give blood. Male and female adult donors aged 18 or above can donate every 75 days and every 105 days respectively. Youths aged between 16 and 17 can donate every 150 days.
Please visit the BTS website www.ha.org.hk/rcbts or call 2710 1234 for details of donor centres.
Ends/Friday, August 11, 2017
Issued at HKT 13:23
Issued at HKT 13:23
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