A trial offering of free blood transfusions for poor people with severe diseases needing long-term blood transfusions has been launched by Shanghai's Xuhui District.

"The trial in Xuhui is the first of such kind in the city, which hosts at least 10,000 poor families with seriously sick patients needing regular and large amounts of blood," said Song Qi, a blood administration official in Shanghai.

"Treatment for diseases like leukemia, cancer and severe anemia requires huge quantities of blood, especially platelet. Our subsidy will ease the burden on poor families and encourage more donations as well."

Yesterday patients from 42 families received a new blood card, which will enable them to be reimbursed 240 yuan (34.9 U.S. dollars) for 200 milliliters, a clinical sample.

And authorities are pointing out that blood donors can receive free blood of up to five times their donation within five years. Donor family members can receive free blood similarly in line with the donations.

A family can be reimbursed for blood payments if a relative donates the same amount of blood the patient receives in a transfusion, the Shanghai Blood Administration Office said.

The blood administration office always promoted blood donations, especially the donation of platelet, according to Song.

(Shanghai Daily June 26, 2008)