Blood reserves run out; Thai Red Cross asks public for urgent blood donations

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BANGKOK, Nov 15 – The Thai Red Cross Society announced that its National Blood Centre lacks supplies in all blood groups for patients, and is asking the public for urgent blood donations.

National Blood Centre director Dr Soisaang Pikulsod said the volume of blood donated declined to 1,200 units since early November, but the number of blood requests for patients in hospitals nationwide is as high as 5,000 units.

She said at least 1,500-2,000 units of blood are required on a daily average for patients, and there must be blood reserves of at least 3,000 units per day, according to standards.

Dr Soisaang said the quantity of blood requests in over 120 hospitals in Bangkok, its vicinity and nearby provinces have doubled to 5,000 units per day, while only 1,400 units can be provided to them by the National Blood Centre.

Prospective donors can visit the centre directly in Bangkok’s Henri Dunant Road on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays from 8am-4.30pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7.30am-7pm, and on weekends and public holidays from 8.30am-3.30pm, or call 0 2256 4300, 0 2263 9600-99, ext. 1101 for more information.