Here is the contact link for the MOH so you (and others) can send your suggestions:
(Mr. Wen-Ta Chiu, M.D., Ph.D., Minister of Health) doh.gov.tw/CHT2006/Epaper/mail.htm
and here is the snail mail address:
Mr. Wen-Ta Chiu, M.D., Ph.D., Minister of Health
Department of Health, Executive Yuan, R.O.C.(TAIWAN)
Address: No.36, Tacheng St., Datong District, Taipei City 10341, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
I have written to the Minister suggesting that blood types be imprinted on ID cards and that people with rare blood types be encouraged to join a registry which would be used to send email and SMS messages when that blood type is needed. I have also suggested that those who pass donation criteria could have their type written in green so as to speed donation in emergencies.
Since most of the rhesus-negatives will be foreigners, I am afraid that such a system would have to rely on volunteers who know their blood type. Also, placing blood group on national ID cards might conceivably lead to some kind of discrimination based on the popular local superstition that this affects personality. Rather than a government-run database, I suspect a private one would be more effective. All that such a system would really need are the names and contact information for people with the rarer types in different cities / regions, and then to notify hospitals of this option (the easy part).
I remember reading about 5-10 years ago that Taiwan were one of the biggest importers of British beef in the world in the 80s and early 90s. So what about Taiwanese blood?
[quote=“spaint”]Good to hear, Maoman. Thanks for the update.
The anti-British donor rules are found in many places around the world: it’s because of the fear of transmission of CJD (mad cow disease) to the recipient (though I’d imagine in a desperate situation that CJD would be the least of one’s worries).[/quote]
Even though there’s not one documented instance of any human contracting CJD from the BSE prion, plus the fact that it’s been 15 whole years since the end of the Mad Cow scare in Britain. Time to lift those restrictions. More lives could be saved.
Well, a few months ago there was a bruhaha in the local news, saying there was a suspect case of CJD in a local who’d been to the UK. Apparently, it wasn’t, but it is obvious that it is still quite a worry here.
It makes sense if you think about it. How many people here have actually lived in the UK. To rule out that possible risk, even if it is very slight, is a prudent measure for the loss of a very small amount of potential donors.
Not just people who are from there, but who lived there for a few months, which includes a hell of a lot of non-Brits, including me. So though I would like to give blood, I can’t. :fume:
I know it’s frustrating as it pertains to me too , but it is logical in light of the statistics. If CJD entered the local population by this route there would be a lot of regret. Prion disease is poorly understood and the risks hard to quantify.
Remember , many people in Taiwan may have been infected with hepatitis by govt sponsored vaccination programs and poorly screened blood in the past.
Just a quick note; Carnegies will be having a fund-raiser for Kevin next Friday. We’ll post details about this tomorrow but hope as many as possible can make it.
I’m going to add my vote for a facebook blood-needed page.
I’m also getting slowly used to walking into one place and being told one thing, then to another and being told the opposite (most recent being two DMV offices, on the same day), it is possible if one place rejects your blood you might be more successful elsewhere.
Spread it round if you can Please don’t post anything unless it’s a request for a donation for any reason, that will stop group posts from cluttering up people’s notifications.
I am an “A, rH-Negative” supplier and a card carrying Red Cross “apheresis hero”. If there are any further needs of blood donations for victims of injury or those undergoing cancer treatments who are in need of platelettes, I’ll be happy to assist whenever possible. Feel free to contact me should an emergency again arise.
[Note to moderator: My ink hasn’t been wet in my passport for at least 5 years. Phhttt! hahaha]
I know this is an older post, but I need to correct you on something that you noted in your post. First, about 15% of the world’s population has RH-Negative blood. B- accounts for about 1.7% of the world’s population. Now, that I corrected you, I am B-. Is there still an urgent need for my blood type?
Also, 0- is the universal donor. Can’t you accept their blood too?
[quote=“CinCityGirl”]I know this is an older post, but I need to correct you on something that you noted in your post. First, about 15% of the world’s population has RH-Negative blood. B- accounts for about 1.7% of the world’s population. Now, that I corrected you, I am B-. Is there still an urgent need for my blood type?
Also, 0- is the universal donor. Can’t you accept their blood too?[/quote]
Actually there never was an urgent need…the hospital had all the blood they needed in their blood bank but for reasons unknown we were told they didn’t. :s
Please don’t post anything unless it’s a request for a donation for any reason, that will stop group posts from cluttering up people’s notifications.