Thousands of people, mainly students and youngsters, donated 1,200 blood units during the Chu nhat Do (Red Sunday) blood donation festival held at the Hanoi University of Science and Technology on Sunday.

Speaking at the event, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh praised contributions of the programme, organisations and individuals in various blood mobilisation, communication and donation activities.

“Along with others campaigns like Le hoi Xuan hong (Red Spring festival) or Hanh Trinh Do (Red Journey), the Red Sunday has been a significant event of humanity, highlighting the kindness philosophy of Vietnamese people,” said Binh.

“The programme has received more and more amounts of safe blood units over the past 11 years. Giving blood to save people is a noble gesture, deepening the tradition of loving people of Vietnamese people.”

Binhalso said organisations and sectors should have more activities such as blood donation and patient support activities like the Red Sunday programme.

Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen said blood donations have been developed strongly in the country in the past. Blood collection has increased to 1.6 million units in 2019, compared to more than 100,000 units in 1994. Blood volume is mainly donated from volunteers, reaching 98 percent of total collection.

Tuyen said the situation of blood shortage was being handled. The country has thousands of people who have donated their blood more than 50 times and hundreds of families who donate together. Many organisations and companies regularly organised blood donation events.