Minhang District vowed to become the city's first to collect blood quotas from volunteer donors in three years, rather than designating the task to companies and institutes, officials said yesterday.
By 2006, a minimum 2 percent of the district's 760,000 registered permanent residents should donate blood per year. When shortages occur, 8,000 more people will be recruited to donate blood.
More than 2,000 volunteers will donate regularly, according to the district's goal.
"It's necessary to promote volunteer donation since it can better guarantee blood quality and security," said Xu Su, director of the district's health bureau.
Only 26 percent of the city's total 70 ton blood supply came from volunteer donors. The proportion is much lower than the country's 85 percent average.
To meet the blood requirement, the city gave quotas to government departments, institutes and enterprises.
Prizes and vacation time will be offered to employees to encourage blood donation.
Xu said the drawback to the system is that companies unable to fulfill quotas will hire blood sellers, whose blood quality is inferior due to their frequent donations.
"As a result, the blood may threaten the health of its recipient," Xu said.
The district also set up the city's first blood donation center at Hymart Square in Qibao Town three months ago.
So far, the center has collected 608,600 milliliters of blood.
A migrant woman in the center said: "My son was accepted by a Shanghai university. I am so thankful to the Shanghainese that I decided to donate my blood to show my appreciation."