Taiwan's blood supply critically low amid heavy rains and flooding

Taiwan is facing a severe blood shortage, with overall blood reserves dwindling to just five days' worth. The critical situation is a direct consequence of recent heavy rainfall and widespread flooding across the island, which have disrupted normal donation activities.

The continuous downpours, exacerbated by the outer bands of Typhoon Mikala and an approaching cold front, have led to flooded areas and temporary closures of businesses and schools in several counties. This has resulted in the suspension of some blood donation sites and the cancellation of mobile blood drives. Even as the rain subsides, the inclement weather continues to deter people from donating blood, while many affected residents are still occupied with cleaning up their homes.

According to the Taiwan Blood Services Foundation, the safe inventory level for blood is between seven to ten days. Levels between four to seven days are considered low, and anything below four days signifies an urgent shortage. As of 7:30 a.m. today, the total blood supply across Taiwan, including processed blood bags, is only five days. Type A and O blood reserves are particularly low, at 4.2 to 4.8 days, placing them in the 'low' category. Even the B type blood, which was previously within the normal range, now has only 7.1 days of stock.

Several regional blood centers are experiencing even more dire shortages. The Taipei and Taichung centers have all blood types below the safe inventory level, with reserves ranging from 4.2 to 6.2 days. The Hsinchu and Kaohsiung centers also report low stock for most blood types, with Kaohsiung's O type blood having only 3.5 days remaining. The foundation is urgently appealing to the public to donate blood, warning that a severe shortage could jeopardize medical treatments, especially in central and southern Taiwan.