(VOVworld) – On Sunday the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion held a press conference on this year’s Red Journey, which is expected to collect 20,000 blood units. The 1-month journey began on July 1 and goes through 27 provinces and cities.

A blood donation festival will be held at the National Convention Center on July 31. Professor Nguyen Anh Tri, Director of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, said: “The need for blood transfusion is increasing. The more medical technology develops the more blood we need. The World health Organization has determined that blood utilization is one of 3 criteria to evaluate the medical development of a nation or a hospital. Bach Mai hospital uses 50,000-60,000 blood units and Vietnam-Germany hospital 30,000-40,000 blood units a year.”

From 2013 to 2015 the journey went through 42 provinces, collecting 57,000 blood units.