National Blood Program in Korea

Abstract

Transfusion requirements for red cells and platelets have been completely fulfilled by voluntary donations since 1980 in Korea. However. Korea imports 300.000 liters of plasma each year to produce plasma fractionation products. Korean Red Cross Blood Center supplies 96 percent of blood consumed in Korea. The remaining 4 percent is supplied by 95 hospital blood centers. Measures to supply safer blood, to achieve national self-sufficiency of plasma, and to improve quality assurance are under way.