An official from the Red Cross blood center says from Wednesday, reserves of AB type blood were quickly being depleted, and were almost out of stock by Thursday morning.

Beijing is experiencing a huge shortage of AB type blood and is calling for free blood donations.
   
An official from the Red Cross blood center says from Wednesday, reserves of AB type blood were quickly being depleted, and were almost out of stock by Thursday morning.
   
The increasing need of AB type blood from large hospitals, the decrease of blood donations and the small proportion of AB among the population contribute to the shortage.
   
The official also says there are only 800-200 milliliter units of B-type blood left to meet three-days of demand while the normal stock of B type should be around 1500 units.
   
The red-cross center is calling on more people to contribute blood. Their telephone number is 82077662 or 62350170.

(CRI December 17, 2004)