As many as 250 military officers and soldiers from the Da Nang Military Command and the municipal Military School of Military Region 5 have participated in a voluntary blood donation campaign, thereby significantly contributing to meeting the blood demand required for treatment and emergency aid at the city's hospitals. A small gesture like donating blood can make a big difference to the lives of people.

Military officers and soldiers from the Da Nang Military Command and the municipal Military School of Military Region 5 giving blood. Photo: VIET HUNG

Having donated blood for the first time, first class soldier Kpă Y Tinh from the Battalion No 2 of the Military School of Military Region 5, has been quite nervous.  

After receiving spirit encouragement from the doctors and nurses of the city-based Military Hospital 17 and the Da Nang General Hospital, the man quickly regained his spirit and happily chatted with his teammates.

Showing us the certificate of blood donation and thank-you letter from the organizers of the voluntary blood donation campaign, the young man from Ba Na ethnic group in Song Hinh District, Phu Yen Province, excitedly said “I am still completely healthy after blood donation. I am grateful for the chance to donate blood to save the lives of people in need. If I have the opportunity, I will continue to participate in blood donation.”

Colonel Phan Thanh Duc, Politician of the Battalion No 2 said that he participates in voluntary blood donation campaigns almost every year, aimed at helping people facing health crisis as well as setting an example for younger military soldiers to follow.

Sergeant Nguyen Viet Tan, Commander of the Information Battalion from the Da Nang Military Command, did not remember how many times he has donated blood.

The driver's job makes Mr. Tan understand very well the value of every drop of red blood to the lives of patients in need of blood transfusion, so he often volunteers to donate blood if he has a chance.

In this blood donation campaign, 6 members of the Information team have donated from 250 - 350ml each.

This year, due to the influence of COVID-19, both blood drawers and blood donors must strictly adhere to the 5K regulation of the Ministry of Health, but that's why, the value of every drop of blood becomes more beautiful and more meaningful.

Colonel Huynh Duc Hien, Head of the Laboratory Department of the Military Hospital 17 said, in the coming time, his hospital will continue to coordinate with General Hospitals of Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh provinces and military units based in Da Nang to organize more voluntary blood donation campaigns to meet the need for blood in emergencies.

Master, Doctor Doan Thi Cam Nhung from the Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion of the Da Nang General Hospital, said public hospitals across the city are facing a dire shortage of blood for emergency and treatment amid the coronavirus rage. With a total of 250 units of blood recently collected from military officers and soldiers, many patients can receive timely medical treatment.

"Hopefully the noble and humane virtues of the armed forces of Military Region 5 will continue to spread to everyone" said Dr. Nhung.

Reporting by VIET HUNG – Translating by M.DUNG