China's thirst for resources, it seems, extends beyond even oil or coal. Lately the country has even found itself drained of one surprising substance. Blood reserves. Ahead of the coming "World Blood Donor Day" on 14th, the health ministry is reviewing progress made in blood donation collection. At a press conference, it laid out four ground rules to regulate the use of blood reserves.

Make every drop counts.

Lack of a sufficient blood supply has long troubled China.

Official figures from the Ministry of Health show that over 1,000 tons of blood were donated across the country in the first quarter of this year. That’s a 6 percent increase over the previous year, but demand grew at an even faster pace.

Guo Yanhong, deputy director of Department of Medical Administration, MOH, said, "China’s blood supply is facing all sorts of challenges. This is mainly due to a rapid rise in surgeons’ demands - mostly in cities like Beijing and Shanghai. We also face a relatively weak non-remunerated blood donor base compared to developed countries - still below the standard set by the WHO."

In response, China’s Health Ministry has set new standards to regulate the use of hospital blood reserves.

An official from a local blood centre in Henan province said better transparency during the blood collection and transfusion process is needed help to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and encourage more donations.

Wang Zhaofu, director of He’nan Blood Center said, "We think we need to give the public as much information as we can regarding the blood center, such as the qualification of doctors and nurses, the blood service process."

Reporter: "According to the health authority, China’s demand for blood in medical services has been increasing rapidly. And some areas already report severe blood shortages. Official say by 2015, the country’s blood demands can only be met if 120,000 people donate each day."

 

Volunteers donate blood in a blood donation bus in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Reigion, June 14, 2011, to mark the 8th World Blood Donor Day.(Xinhua/Peng Zhaozhi)