[Square] Small but Great Acts of Love, Blood Donation

[Asia Economy] There is nothing greater than blood for patients in need of transfusions. Even today, countless patients in medical institutions are living new lives by receiving blood from others. The Korean Red Cross and Hanmaeum Blood Center, which supply blood, must maintain an adequate level of blood daily, and since transfused blood must be replenished every day, blood donation is urgently needed at this very moment.

COVID-19 has also affected blood donation. As the 'social distancing' level was raised, the number of blood donors decreased. In particular, group blood donations at schools, companies, and public institutions were postponed or canceled, making it difficult to maintain an adequate blood supply level of more than five days' worth on many days this year, following last year. However, there have been no cases of COVID-19 infection during the blood donation process so far, and blood centers are strictly managing safety.

Thanks to the citizens who practiced love through the life-sharing act of blood donation, as well as the active cooperation of blood centers, government ministries, and local governments, the number of days this year when the blood supply fell below a three-day level was only one day. This is a significant decrease compared to 13 days last year. Nevertheless, vigilance and attention are still required to secure blood.

In December last year, the government established the '1st Basic Blood Management Plan (2021?2025)' and is working to foster and spread a culture of blood donation participation and to manage the safe and appropriate use of blood. In September, the first meeting of the 'National Blood Donation Promotion Council,' involving nine ministries, was held to discuss cooperation measures for fostering a blood donation culture at the national government level amid the COVID-19 situation. Additionally, while reviewing the implementation status of local governments' blood donation promotion plans in the first half of the year, local blood donation promotion councils involving residents, local organizations, or public institutions were actively encouraged to be formed and operated to foster a blood donation culture.

For medical institutions, a 'Emergency Blood Supply Countermeasure Team' was established to manage blood usage within hospitals according to government blood supply crisis response measures and to guide the establishment and implementation of plans for appropriate use. This year, October will be designated as a focused blood donation promotion period using TV and social networking services (SNS) media to strengthen blood donation education and promotion so that the public can have a positive perception of blood donation and continuously participate.

Due to low birth rates and aging, the population eligible for blood donation is decreasing, while the demand for blood in medical institutions is expected to increase, making future blood donation promotion and blood supply management very important. The government plans to strengthen national responsibility for blood management from donation to transfusion and establish an organic cooperative system among related agencies. To this end, the Ministry of Health and Welfare-affiliated National Organ, Tissue, and Blood Management Agency, blood centers, medical institutions, the Blood Management Committee, and the Blood Donation Promotion Council will comprehensively review and supplement the roles and functions of each entity and implement improvement measures.

For blood donors, the government will provide safer and more accessible blood donation locations and improve convenience by allowing reissuance of blood donation certificates if lost or damaged. Above all, through the revision of the 'Blood Management Act,' a provision for donor respect will be established, and based on this, donor appreciation projects such as the establishment of a 'Blood Donation Day' to express respect and gratitude to donors will be solidly promoted.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mother Teresa said, "Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love." We ask for your participation in blood donation, a small but great act of love. When beautiful hearts come together, the current blood supply crisis can be overcome with ease.

Ryu Geun-hyeok, 2nd Vice Minister, Ministry of Health and Welfare

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.