During the complicated circumstance of the COVID-19 pandemic, blood donation across the country in general and in Ho Chi Minh City has faced many difficulties, leading to a decrease in blood reserves at the Blood Banks. Therefore, FV Hospital quickly responded to the call for “Effective anti-pandemic – Safe blood supply” from the Blood Transfusion Haematology (BTH) Hospital by holding the blood donation event on the morning of 21^st May 2021.

More than 130 volunteers participated in the 6^th “Give Blood – Give Hope” programme at FV Hospital. The procedure of the event also followed the direction of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and the guidance of the Department of Health for the prevention and control of COVID-19. During the blood donation event, the Organising Committee reported that 187 blood units were donated.

The first blood donation in 2021 took place when the COVID-19 situation was on-going. However, it received welcoming participation from the staff. “Perhaps everyone knows the short supply situation of the blood bank during this pandemic, so they participate in donating. I think it is very necessary to donate blood during this period,” said Le Phi Lan (Nurse – FV Saigon Clinic) following his second time donating blood at FV.

Dr Huynh Nguyen Tuong Vy (Anaesthesiology & Pain Control Department) said: “Donating blood might be just a small act of giving for healthy people, but it means a lot to the patient. During treatment; we must register and wait for blood. If we encounter a shortage in the blood bank, it is a disadvantage to both patients and doctors”. Donating blood at this time is not only a wonderful act of giving but is a practical and meaningful support to medical workers.

Participating in blood donation for the first time, Ho Thi Ngoc Tram (Front Office) came to register quite early. “I was a little nervous and worried because it was both my first time donating blood and it was at such a special time. However, I have faith in the pandemic prevention process at the hospital,” Tram shared happily after her blood donation. Meanwhile, with his 15-year experience of continuously participating in blood donation, Mr Pham Tri Dang (Quality Supervision – Training and Development Department) feels that this blood donation event is different. “During this pandemic time, blood donation is even more necessary. I think everyone should follow the epidemic prevention regulations, always wear a mask, wash their hands carefully, there will be nothing to worry about,” Dang added before entering the blood collection area.

FV has urgently mobilised its employees to participate in the blood donation program within a few days after receiving information from the BTH Hospital. The 6th “Give Blood – Give Hope” program exceeded organisers’ expectation by 40%. FV is expected to organise the next blood donation before the end of this year to maintain the objective to donate blood twice a year. In 2020, FV donated more than 370 units of blood. Continuing that tradition, in 2021, we hope that the FV Family will surpass the blood volume of previous donations.