South Korean blood stocks fell below standard on 191 of 273 days this year, data show
In short
Korean Red Cross blood holdings were below the appropriate standard of five days' worth on 191 of 273 days from January to September, or 70.0%, according to Red Cross data obtained by lawmaker Han Ji-ah. Type O red blood cell holdings were short on 208 days, and designated donations by family and acquaintances rose 339.3%.
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Holdings of red blood cell products at the Korean Red Cross (대한적십자사) were below the appropriate standard of five days' worth on 191 of the 273 days from January to September this year, or 70.0%. The figures come from data the Red Cross gave to Han Ji-ah (한지아), a People Power Party member of the National Assembly's health and welfare committee, and were reported on October 20. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The outlets note that this already exceeds last year's full-year count of 116 days below standard. On April 15, total holdings fell to 2.9 days' worth. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Type O blood, which is used for transfusions in emergencies when a patient's blood type is hard to confirm immediately, was shorter still. Type O red blood cell holdings were below five days' worth on 208 days through September, and on 48 of those days they were below three days' worth. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Yonhap reported that Han's office argued that delays in blood supply can pose a fatal risk to patients, so type O blood for emergency transfusions needs separate management. Maeil Business said such separate management and a stronger emergency supply system were urgent. Seoul Economic Daily said there were calls to divide blood supply management by blood type. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Designated donations, in which family members or acquaintances donate directly for a specific patient, rose sharply as supply became unstable. They totalled 35,197 from January to September, against 8,013 in the same period last year, an increase of 339.3% or about 4.4 times. Their share of transfusion donations rose from 0.8% for all of last year to 2.1% from January to September. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Han said that not only overall blood stocks should be examined, but the supply of blood needed for emergency transfusions, such as type O, should be forecast separately and the emergency supply system strengthened. Han also said practical improvements are needed so that whether blood can be obtained does not depend on the social networks of patients and their guardians. [ 1 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The outlets report that the shortage already exceeds last year's full-year count of days below standard. The lawmaker calls for separate forecasting of type O blood and a stronger emergency supply system.
Key facts
- Red blood cell holdings were below the standard of five days' worth on 191 of 273 days from January to September 2026 (70.0%). [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Last year's full-year count of days below standard was 116. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- On April 15, total holdings fell to 2.9 days' worth. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Type O red blood cell holdings were below five days' worth on 208 days through September, and below three days' worth on 48 of them. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Designated donations reached 35,197 from January to September, against 8,013 a year earlier, an increase of 339.3% or about 4.4 times. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Designated donations rose from 0.8% of transfusion donations last year to 2.1% from January to September this year. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- According to Korean Red Cross data given to People Power Party lawmaker Han Ji-ah, holdings of red blood cell products were below the five-day standard on 191 of 273 days from January to September. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Type O red blood cell holdings were below the standard on 208 days through September, and on 48 of those days below three days' worth. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Designated donations, in which family or acquaintances donate for a specific patient, rose 339.3% to 35,197 from January to September. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Why holdings have fallen short so often this year. The documents give the figures but no cause for the shortfall.
- Whether the Korean Red Cross or the government will act on the proposals. No document reports a response from the Red Cross or the authorities.
- Whether the blood supply management system should be split by blood type. Only Seoul Economic Daily reports this call, describing it as a point being raised.