Zhao Minggang, an official from China's Ministry of Health, called on the public to have realistic ideas about the use of blood and to avoid blood transfusions when there is any alternative.
Zhao said that currently people's understanding of blood transfusions is still very limited. Though a range of measures have been taken to ensure blood quality and safety, there are still risks associated with blood transfusions. Zhao said that, even if the best testing methodology is used, there will still be potential dangers that can not be found out.
Zhao explained that as a variant protein, it is likely that a blood transfusion will cause a rejection reaction. Therefore, blood transfusions should be chosen only when there is no other therapy. Zhao said that Ministry of Health has been talking with the medical professionals, asking them to respect the public's rights to be acknowledged including the right of to know about other options and the need to notifying patients about the risk of blood transfusions.
