While Wuxi City in neighboring Jiangsu Province recently hiked its blood donation proportion per person to 400 milliliters from 200 ml to ensure blood safety and clinical-use efficiency, the local blood collection authority said yesterday it won't follow suit for fear of aggravating residents' reluctance to donate the vital body fluid.

Under china's Blood Donation Law, both 200 and 400 ml quotas are acceptable. However, first-time donors are encouraged to give 200 ml while the experienced ones can opt for donating the bigger amount, officials said.

Normally, hospitals require 600 ml or more of blood per patient for transfusion, which means the patient has to undergo at least three immunity reaction if everyone donates 200 ml of blood, doctors said.

If the donation rises to 400 ml, patients will have less rejection as the blood will come from fewer donors, the Wuxi blood authority explained.

The shanghai Blood Management Office, though agreeing with the opinion, won't adopt the new quota since "many locals are still afraid of giving blood as two thirds of donors at street collection vehicles were from out of town."

"We need to increase public awareness about blood donation since it not only benefits society but the donor's health as well," said Song Qi, the office's spokesman.

"Blood donation is healthy. It can improve blood quality, dilute blood and prevent tumors," Song added.

The medical community now is adopting another blood donation method, which collects various elements of blood such as platelets. Normally, the clinical use for platelets requires 10 donors with 200 ml donation. Nonetheless, the danger of rejection is less when it comes from 400-ml donors, doctors said.

According to Song, in the West, an adult usually donates 450 to 500 ml of blood. Some Asian countries have a history of collecting more than 300 ml from a single donor.

"I have donated blood 405 times, both in Taiwan and Shanghai. During my six months here, I have taken part in five platelet donations," said Chen Zeren, vice manager of Taiwan-based Trust-mart Co yesterday.

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