The authorities appealed to tourists in Phuket for help. They are called upon to take part in a blood donation campaign due to a shortage of blood, which may save the lives of other tourists in trouble.
With the start of the high tourist season, the island is facing a critical shortage of blood, especially for the Rh-negative type, which has prompted the entire province to conduct a blood donation drive during this month. The call for blood donations was launched by the Phuket Volunteer Rescue Team, the only rescue service on the island that includes a foreigner, Vincent Modell, a volunteer and instructor from the UK, who is himself a regular blood donor.
The increase in international flights and tourists also means an increase in the number of patients requiring blood transfusions as a result of an expected rise in accidents and life-threatening conditions, he said.
However, the problem is that among Thais the number of Rh-negative blood donors is critically low. Academic research shows that only about 0.3% of Thais are in “denial”, in contrast to 15% of Westerners.
“The Thais cannot provide enough Rh-negative blood to blood banks because they don’t have it. Only other foreigners can help when a tourist needs to be rescued, and preparations must be made in advance,” the volunteers said.
They also added that the appeal has found a response, but for now, given that blood can only be donated once every three months, the current pool of donors is not enough to meet the growing demand in Phuket hospitals, especially with the approach of the high season and the increase in road accidents and other emergencies.