Prague hospitals issue urgent appeals due to critical blood shortages

Hospitals in Prague are facing a critical shortage of blood supplies, prompting urgent appeals for donors. Thomayer University Hospital (FTN) has issued an emergency call for type 0 blood donors, noting that supplies for several groups, including A and 0, have reached acute shortage levels. Similar shortages are being reported at the Central Military Hospital.

Health Minister Adam Vojtěch has appealed to all healthy individuals capable of donating to visit transfusion centers immediately, stating that reserves have dropped significantly across multiple locations. The shortage is exacerbated by seasonal trends, as donation rates typically decline during summer months.

In response to the crisis, the Pirate Party organized a blood donation drive at the Královské Vinohrady University Hospital. Party Chairman Zdeněk Hřib stated the initiative was inspired by a July incident where a vehicle transporting urgent blood supplies was involved in a collision. The party is calling for public solidarity to replenish stocks, noting that a single donation can save up to three lives.