Zhanjiang was named a Leading City in Voluntary Blood Donation by the National Health Commission, the Red Cross Society of China and the Health Bureau under the CMC's Logistics Support Department for the fourth consecutive year.

Award ceremony [Photo/nhfpc.gov.cn]

Two hundred and eighty-three Zhanjiang residents were recognized for their contribution to the cause, while 50 were recognized for their voluntary services. Guangdong Ocean University was honored for its spirited promotion of blood donation.

In late March, China halted mutual aid blood donations between relatives and friends. Although the practice has helped ease the shortage of blood in China, it has spawned a huge underground market for the buying and selling of blood.

In response to the country's public blood donation drive, Zhanjiang has increased the number of blood donation centers across the city. In July, two new centers were set up on Nanhua Pedestrian Street in Chikan district and Guangbai Plaza in Xiashan district, making it more convenient for people to donate blood.

In 2018, Zhanjiang recorded a total of 45,000 donors and was able to meet all its clinical needs through donated blood.

A blood donation center is set up on Nanhua Pedestrian Street in Chikan district. [Photo by Liu Jicheng/Zhanjiang Daily]