(VOVworld)- The 2015 humanitarian blood donation and medical check-ups program is being held in 23 cities and provinces across Vietnam. The program which targets poor people in disadvantaged areas is bolstering Vietnam’s efforts to ensure social security.

The program is being carried out by the Vietnam Red Cross Society and Vietnam Prudential Company. This is the program’s second year.

The program “Pru-Volunteer” will be carried out in November and December in 23 provinces and cities nationwide targeting 5,000 units of blood and free medical checkups and medicine for 2,000 needy people. Dao Thanh Tam is Deputy Secretary General and Head of the Health Care Department of the Vietnam Red Cross Society: “Beneficiaries of the program are the poor and those in remote mountain areas who lack access to health care services. Under the program, we will give health insurance cards, gifts, TV sets and charity houses to especially disadvantaged people. We will work with local authorities to support the poor”.

Ms Tam said activities are underway to encourage people to give their blood: “There is a lot of work to do, particularly communications activities to raise people’s awareness and encourage them to donate blood. We hope that voluntary blood donation will become more popular .

The program is one of many humanitarian programs for improve the health of poor people. Last year, it benefited 8,300 needy people in 20 provinces and cities, and collected more than 7,500 units of blood.