Hospitals in the West suffer widespread blood shortages

Due to prolonged bidding difficulties, Can Tho Hematology and Blood Transfusion Hospital no longer has blood bags to prepare and supply to 74 hospitals in the West.

The shortage of blood and blood products has lasted for more than a year, but has been most serious since March, affecting emergency care and treatment for patients.

At Can Tho Central General Hospital, on average, 5,000-6,000 units of blood are needed each month, including 2,000-3,000 units of platelets. However, this unit can only supply about 25% of the demand, with priority given to cases requiring emergency blood transfusions, according to Dr. Le Hoang Phuc, Head of the Planning and Synthesis Department. According to Mr. Phuc, some scheduled surgeries must be stopped to wait for new blood products to be performed.

Faced with this situation, the hospital proactively signed a contract with Cho Ray (HCMC) to support blood supply. However, it could not receive platelets due to their very short shelf life (about 3 days).

"In some cases of thrombocytopenia, if not transfused, there is a risk of serious bleeding complications, especially life-threatening brain hemorrhage," said Dr. Phuc, adding that in emergency cases, the patient cannot be transferred to Ho Chi Minh City because the victim will die on the way.

A surgery at Can Tho Central General Hospital, early June. Photo: Thanh Phong — A surgery at Can Tho Central General Hospital, early June. Photo: *Thanh Phong*

Also facing a shortage of blood products, Mr. Bui Quoc Nam, Director of the Bac Lieu Department of Health, said that on average, hospitals in the province need 800 units of blood each month. The main source of supply comes from the Can Tho City Hematology and Blood Transfusion Hospital, but there is currently a huge shortage. "Given this serious situation, we have reported to the Ministry of Health to take immediate action," Mr. Nam said.

Similarly, Dr. Thach Ngoc Tien, Head of the Laboratory Department at Tra Vinh General Hospital, had to write an apology to patients who needed blood transfusions or had to postpone surgeries due to lack of blood. The doctor said the hospital was waiting for every drop of blood to save the lives of patients.

Confirming this situation, Dr. Nguyen Xuan Viet, Director of Can Tho Hematology and Blood Transfusion Hospital, said that on May 25, he sent a document to 74 hospitals and medical facilities in the Mekong Delta, requesting that blood be used sparingly and only in emergency cases.

Each month, this unit receives and supplies about 12,000-15,000 units of blood to hospitals in the West. However, due to difficulties in evaluating and approving the contractor selection plan from all levels from 2022 to present, the hospital still does not have blood collection bags or blood screening chemicals. Since June 1, the hospital has not been able to prepare, test, or screen blood. filter and supply blood and blood products to hospitals, said Dr. Viet.

In addition, since March, the unit has run out of blood collection bags, so it has had to take advantage of the source of finished blood from the Ho Chi Minh City Hematology and Blood Transfusion Hospital, Cho Ray Hospital, and the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion to distribute to regional hospitals. However, the current supply from these facilities is also limited, and cannot be distributed to the Can Tho Hematology and Blood Transfusion Hospital.

"For these reasons, we informed 74 hospitals and made preparations in advance," Mr. Viet said, adding that he had reported this situation many times to the Department of Health and the People's Committee of Can Tho City.

Patients being treated at the Stroke Department, Can Tho Central General Hospital. Photo: Cuu Long — Patients being treated at the Stroke Department, Can Tho Central General Hospital. Photo: *Cuu Long*

Regarding this issue, a leader of the Can Tho Department of Health said that the process of organizing bidding for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies encountered some changes in Circular 8/2023 (replacing Circular 14/2020) of the Ministry of Health, so "the procedures had to be redone many times". The Department also had many temporary solutions for hospitals to make small, direct purchases to overcome difficulties.

"Given the current urgent situation, the Department will try to complete the bidding procedures so that the Hematology and Blood Transfusion Hospital can overcome the blood shortage in the area," the leader said, but did not specify when this issue will be completely resolved.

Every year, Can Tho Blood Transfusion and Hematology Hospital needs about 150 billion VND to purchase new chemicals and medical supplies to ensure the need to collect and supply blood to regional hospitals. Faced with delays due to bidding procedures, the hospital has implemented many procurement packages under 100 million VND according to regulations, but the quantity does not meet the actual demand.

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