The State Development and Reform Commission says the network involves 29 upgraded provincial blood centers, nearly 300 blood stations at the city or prefecture level and 150 blood banks at county level in western parts of the country.

The network was established at a cost of US$280 million, with funding from the central government.

The network will help the country improve its quality control capacity in collecting and supplying blood, and reduce the transmission of infectious diseases through blood transfusions.

(cri.com May 22, 2003)