According to the institute, it requires at least 80,000 units of blood, including 40,000 units of blood type O, in the first two months of the year in order to for distributions to more than 180 medical facilities in 31 provinces and cities nationwide.

Tran Ngoc Que, director of the National Blood Centre under the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, revealed that the shortage can be put down to the severe cold weather which has hit many places over recent days. This factor has resulted in many blood donation sites failing to achieve their expected results.

Que also noted that the Institute plans to organise further blood donation events before Tet, hoping to receive 2,200 units of blood from the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho and provinces of Hau Giang, An Giang, and Dong Thap between January 30 to February 5.

It also called on people across the country to donate blood from now until the end of Lunar New Year, especially people with blood types O and A.

Vietnamese people have seven days off work for the Tet holiday, lasting from February 7 to 14.

Source: VOV