Urgent call for blood donors in lead-up to Songkran

As millions of people usually travel during the Songkran holidays, there is a greater risk of road accidents and large numbers of casualties. 
The Songkran road toll is expected to be so high that the relevant agencies have resolved to declare the holiday period “Seven Dangerous Days” in order to promote road safety. 
The experience of the past, however, is that adequate blood stocks will be needed to help save lives. At least one hospital already has critically low blood supplies.
Thai Red Cross Society, which operates the National Blood Centre, said this week that almost 200 hospitals had asked for blood units. 
“With their requests, we will have to provide between 3,000 and 4,000 blood units per day during Songkran,” an official said.
The Red Cross said that, statistically, group O is the most in-demand blood type, followed by B, A, and AB. During the seven days of Songkran, at least about 28,000 blood units will be required in storage.
People who plan to go on vacation during this period are advised to donate blood beforehand.
Currently, the Sririraj Hospital lacks type O blood type for storage. Donors are requested to come to the third floor of the hospital from Monday-Friday between 8.30am and 6pm, and on weekends and national holidays between 8.30am and 4.40pm.

The Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital has a campaign asking people to donate blood to help patients with thalassemia, heart disease and cancer, as well as those suffering from road accidents. Its blood-donation room is open every day from 8.30am to 4pm.