The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, this afternoon (September 11) inspected the West Kowloon Donor Centre of the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) under the Hospital Authority.

     Professor Chan said, "Recently, the number of blood donors has persistently fallen below the target of 1 100 a day and the inventories of all blood types, including O positive, A positive and B positive, are in acute shortage again.

     "There is no substitute for blood. The BTS counts on public support to donate blood regularly to ensure sufficient blood supply to all hospitals for timely transfusion treatment for patients. Every donation of blood can save at least three patients."

     In addition, the BTS donor centres are recruiting bone marrow donors and provide on-site registration and blood examination services for the public.

     Located at 19 Hoi Ting Road, the West Kowloon Donor Centre commenced operation in January last year. It is the largest apheresis donation centre in Hong Kong and also provides a whole blood donation service.

     The BTS has extended the service hours of the donor centres in Causeway Bay and Tsuen Wan for the convenience of the public. For details on where to donate, visit www5.ha.org.hk/rcbts/enarticle.asp?bid=85&MenuID=5#.Wa-5nLIjGou.

Ends/Monday, September 11, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:09

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