Hanoi, Vietnam – A crucial operation unfolds daily before dawn as the blood storage and distribution department of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion prepares to deliver life-saving blood supplies to hospitals across the north of the country. Pharmacist Nguyen Hoang Minh meticulously inspects each blood bag before loading them onto trucks destined for provincial hospitals where patients urgently await transfusions.
The demand for blood surges in the days leading up to Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, while donations typically decline. In February alone, the National Institute reported a need for 40,000 units of blood to serve over 180 hospitals in the north and support some regions in the south. The Institute is now appealing to the public for an additional 10,000 donations, with a critical shortage of at least 5,000 units of blood type 0.
Maintaining the integrity of these vital supplies is paramount. Inside the warehouse, containers are carefully stacked, with each blood product requiring specific temperature control. Red blood cell concentrates are stored between 2 and 6 degrees Celsius and must remain between 1 and 10 degrees Celsius during transport, consistently covered with ice to maintain stability. Plasma products, meanwhile, are kept at -18°C or lower, stored separately with additional ice.
“Even slight temperature fluctuations can render blood unusable,” explains Minh, while verifying quantities. “Proper preservation during transport is therefore essential.”
This morning, deliveries are scheduled for four hospitals along the route from Phu Tho to Lao Cai. At 5:30 AM, a specialized transport vehicle departs from the National Institute, driven by Nguyen Tan Giang, an experienced long-distance blood transport driver. The route includes stops at the Phuc Yen General Hospital, the Vinh Phuc Pediatric Hospital, the Vinh Phuc General Hospital, and finally, Lao Cai Provincial Hospital No. 1.
The first stop, Phuc Yen General Hospital, received 39 bags of 350ml red blood cell concentrate and 13 bags of 250ml red blood cell concentrate, with 25 bags being blood type O, along with one bag of frozen fresh plasma. Hospital staff confirmed receipt and immediately stored the blood for potential use in emergencies, surgeries, or ongoing treatments.
Blood remains an irreplaceable biological product, currently impossible to fully synthesize in a laboratory. The blood used in modern medicine relies on voluntary donations, rigorous testing, and separation into various components for specific treatments.
The vehicle continued to the Vinh Phuc Hospital for Obstetrics and Pediatrics, where blood transfusions are often critical for mothers experiencing postpartum hemorrhage, a leading cause of maternal mortality. The Vinh Phuc General Hospital received a total of 88 units of blood products, including frozen fresh plasma, red blood cell concentrates, apheresis platelet concentrates, and cryoprecipitate-rich plasma.
Each blood component serves different patient needs – those with severe anemia, cancer patients requiring platelets, or individuals with clotting disorders. Timely distribution allows hospitals to proactively treat patients without waiting for supplies from higher-level facilities.
As Tet approaches, emergency rooms, operating theaters, and chronic disease treatments remain active, necessitating a constant replenishment of blood reserves in provincial hospitals. The vehicle continues its journey, with driver Giang regularly monitoring the temperature controls in the rear compartment to ensure blood quality.
“This is the temperature control panel for the blood storage compartment in the back. I check it regularly to ensure the temperature doesn’t fluctuate, as that could affect the quality of the blood. Otherwise, the blood bags would spoil quickly, leading to waste,” explains the driver.
After hours on the road, the vehicle reached Lao Cai General Hospital No. 1, the largest delivery point on the route. Here, the transport team delivered 250 units of red blood cells and 60 bags of plasma, immediately unloaded and stored within the hospital.
“Every blood unit that arrives on time can help patients overcome critical situations. Therefore, timely transport and proper storage conditions are essential,” says Pharmacist Minh. As the demand for blood rises in the days leading up to Tet, these trucks continue their tireless work, each shipment representing a chance at survival for patients awaiting transfusions in provincial hospitals.
“Just knowing that we arrive on time and complete the delivery gives me a sense of relief. The patients are waiting for blood, so I can’t afford to be late,” Minh adds, reflecting on the importance of his role.
Photo: Minh Nhat