Blood Shortage in China Due to Surge in Respiratory Illness

Beijing, Dec 17: China is grappling with a blood shortage attributed to a surge in respiratory illnesses, a cold snap, and a decline in donor numbers, as reported by the media.

Various provinces, including Henan, Shandong, Fujian, Hubei, and Shanxi, have sounded alarms about a significant decrease in blood donations. Local authorities and blood centers have issued appeals for citizens to step forward and contribute, citing the urgent need to address the shortage, according to the South China Morning Post.

In Xinxiang, located in Henan province, reports indicate critically low blood stocks, posing a threat to the supply for essential medical procedures. The local publicity department and the Red Cross Society issued an urgent plea on Friday, highlighting the increased demand during winter while acknowledging a decrease in donations.

Similarly, Yuncheng, a city in Shanxi province, issued a call for donors, citing a drastic decline in donations coinciding with a sharp increase in respiratory illnesses due to plummeting temperatures. The local blood center conveyed the challenges in meeting the rising demand for clinical blood consumption.

China relies on voluntary blood donations, and this shortage mirrors a crisis from a year ago when a surge in Covid-19 cases led to a sudden relaxation of pandemic controls. Authorities responded by easing guidelines for blood donation in an effort to bolster supplies, as reported by the South China Morning Post.