Out for blood(2)

Grim targets

Since 1998, blood donation in China has been conducted on a voluntary basis without compensation and the person who receives the blood only pays the expenses incurred in processing the blood. China's Blood Donation Law bans illegal organizations from selling blood and gains from these sales should be confiscated.

Before 2000, 89.2 percent of the blood used in clinics in China came from blood donations by administrative orders - blood collection targets - which dropped to less than 12 percent in 2005 as donations without compensation increased.

A regulation on blood donation prepared by the Beijing Municipal Government, which took effect in November 2009, removed blood-collection targets for local health departments. Before this regulation, certain government-affiliated institutions like universities had to gather a certain quantity of blood or had to pay a sum of money.

However, a report by the Beijing News in 2011 found that compulsory targets still existed in Beijing suburban districts, where township governments assigned a certain blood donation quota to villages and then village committees would track down donors to collect blood.

Old habits die hard

"While some people are constrained by traditions and reluctant to donate blood, more are not willing to make contributions because they lack trust in society," Zhu Lijia, a public management professor with the Chinese Academy of Governance, told the Global Times.

Scandals in recent decades, ranging from an AIDS blood contamination incident in Henan Province to financial scandals that embroiled the Red Cross Society of China have left public enthusiasm for donations of all kinds at a low ebb.

Statistics from the Ministry of Health showed that in 2011, out of every 1,000 people, only nine donated blood in China, compared with 45 in high-income countries, 10 in middle-income countries and a recommendation of 10 by the World Health Organization.

"In China, many regulations and policies are not well carried out. When it comes to the blood supply shortage, officials still prefer using administrative orders to fill the gap."

In 2010 blood donation in Beijing increased by 2.9 percent, while demand grew 10 percent.

"Governments should make sure regulations are fully implemented and also take the lead in donation to inspire the public's passion. Besides, there should be more measures to encourage people to donate blood and hence narrow the gap in supply and demand," Zhu said.