Upon the request of the Hungarian National Blood Transfusion Service (OVSZ), the leadership of the university asked students to donate blood. In the wake of the call, 43 students turned up at the OVSZ headquarters to donate blood. Along with the students, Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector and Dr. Attila Szabó, Vice-Rector for Clinical Affairs contributed to the blood supply. The Rector of Semmelweis University is committed to drawing attention to the importance of blood donation and thanks to his previous media appearances 1,590 people around Hungary, a record number of donors went to donate blood on Friday.
According to Dr. Béla Merkely willingness to donate blood during periods of epidemic usually dwindles among the population. However, it is really important to ensure an uninterrupted blood supply, to provide seamless patient care services and to cater for increased needs as well, despite the concerns caused by the novel coronavirus. Thus, following the call of the OVSZ some of Semmelweis University’s leaders and over 40 students donated blood on Friday.
“Donating blood is safe, but people with fever and cough cannot give blood. There is not going to be an organized blood donation campaign; instead I encourage the students to volunteer at designated blood donation sites closest to their homes.”, Dr. Béla Merkely said.
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Semmelweis University’s Students’ Union has always been committed to promoting blood donation according to Tamás Hegedűs, President.
“As hosts of the EFOTT festival in 2019, we invited OVSZ to be present at the event. Now, we would like to encourage students to go and donate blood during the break, which came into effect in response to the current epidemiological situation.”, he said.
Based on the current regulations of the OVSZ, donors who have been abroad since 5th February 2020 are excluded from blood donation for 30 days. Contact and further information on blood donation are available on the homepage of OVSZ.
Eszter Keresztes
Photo: Bálint Barta – Students’ Union, Semmelweis University
Translation: Ágnes Raubinek
