Medical workers in Changsha have stepped forward for blood donations as hospitals in the city are badly in need of blood. More people are appealed to join the donation activity, Changsha Evening News reported Feb 11.

As of Feb 10, there were only 2,600 bags of blood in stock in Changsha blood bank, much lower than the normal inventory of more than 6,000 bags.

Fewer people go to blood-donating vans at the roadsides due to the cold winter, according to Hou Quanbin, the chief of the blood supply section of Changsha blood bank, which mainly causes the short supply.

As a result, the local hospitals are in burning need of blood. The Changsha Central Hospital, for example, can only be provided with about one third of its normal blood supply. Most of the blood is restricted for use of first-aid operations due to the limit.

More than 140 medical workers from hospitals in Changsha took part in a blood donation activity initiated by Hunan Health and Family Planning Commission on Feb 10. Their contribution, amounting to 45,000 ml in total, can help to ease the blood-supply tension.

The donators were mainly from Changsha Central Hospital and the Xiangya Second Hospital of Central South University.

"The city will see a peak period for blood use before the Spring Festival. And we hope more residents join the donations." Hou said, adding that the hotline for pre-arranging a group donation is 0731-84688112.