15newblooddonationsitesplanned
From: Shenzhen Daily
Updated: 2014-11-05 11:11
DUE to an increasing demand for blood in local hospitals, Shenzhen plans to set up another 15 blood donation sites in the next six years, according to the city"s new blood donation regulations that will be put into effect Jan. 1 next year.
Shenzhen"s demand for blood donations amounted to 43 tons last year and is expected to reach 60 tons by 2020, said Zhu Weigang, deputy director of Shenzhen Blood Center.
Bao"an and Longgang districts will establish two large hospitals in the future, increasing the demand, Zhu said.
There are currently three blood storage facilities and 30 blood donation sites across the city. According to Zhu, at least 15 more sites will be needed in the next six years.
Blood donors and their parents, spouses and children can use blood at local hospitals free of charge when they are in need. In the past, they were required to pay before being reimbursed at a later date, but the new regulations exempt donors and their family members from needing to pay in advance and allow them to use blood for free. Some unspecified formalities are still required.
In addition, the new regulations extend the age cap for blood donors from 55 years old to 60 years old and halve the required six-month wait period between whole blood donations.
Source:Shenzhen Daily