KAOHSIUNG (TVBS News) — Kaohsiung Blood Center (高雄捐血中心) urged residents to donate blood, citing a significant drop in donations due to the recent heatwave in southern Taiwan. The center reported on Thursday (July 4) that the high temperatures led to a 30-40% decrease in donors.
As of the morning of July 4, the center's data showed that the southern region only had about four days' worth of blood supply. Hospitals require 2,100 bags of blood daily, and without timely replenishment, the medical blood bank in the south could face a shortage, critically affecting patients in need of transfusions.
The press release from Kaohsiung Blood Center highlighted that the heatwave has discouraged people from going out, reducing the willingness to donate blood. Blood donation vehicles often see single-digit donations throughout the day, severely impacting the blood supply for the Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingtung, Taitung, and Penghu areas.
Kaohsiung Blood Center called on the public to donate blood. The center's service area includes Chiayi County and City, Tainan City, Kaohsiung City, Pingtung County, Taitung County, and Penghu County. They encouraged residents to visit nearby donation points to support hospital patients.
The center's plea underscores the situation's urgency and the need for community action to ensure that the region's medical needs are met.