Saving a British patient with rare blood that only 0.1% of Vietnamese people have

Ho Chi Minh City A 64-year-old British man with rare blood type O Rh(-) had bleeding gums, nosebleeds, bruises, and bleeding in both legs and was taken to Cho Ray Hospital for emergency treatment.

The doctor determined that the patient had immune thrombocytopenia on the background of hypertension, a very low platelet count, and a risk of cerebral hemorrhage, and needed urgent platelet transfusion. However, the patient had blood type O Rh(-) so it was difficult to select the appropriate platelet concentrate for transfusion. The hospital's Blood Transfusion Center had just run out of platelets of this blood type.

It is estimated that only about 0.1% of the Vietnamese population has blood type O Rh(-). The hospital raised the red alert and contacted the Ho Chi Minh City Rare Blood Club and the Southern Rare Blood Club to mobilize platelet donations. Six members of the two clubs, including people from Dong Nai and the suburban district of Cu Chi, immediately went to the hospital. After the screening process, three volunteers were found suitable to donate platelets.

Three volunteers suitable to donate platelets to the patient are Mr. Nguyen Van Bao, Ms. Le Thi Mit, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy. Photo: Provided by the hospital

After nearly 10 hours of the hospital being on red alert, three standard platelet preparations were urgently produced from donors and safely transfused, saving the patient’s life in time. After nearly a week of combining multiple treatment methods, the patient recovered and was discharged on March 23.

"I am grateful to the platelet donors as well as the doctors and nurses who promptly helped me get healthy again," the patient shared at the hospital.

British patient (middle) recovered after nearly a week of treatment. Photo: Hospital provided

Le Phuong

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