Taipei, Feb. 2 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian urged local people Monday to donate blood to help relieve a serious blood shortage facing the country.
Chen made the appeal during a visit to Taipei City's blood donation center.
Chen said he had originally intended to donate blood himself. However, his blood was rejected as he had visited Panama -- a malaria-endemic area -- less than a year ago. Chen made an official visit to Panama last November to attend that country's centennial celebrations.
According to government regulations, those who have visited a communicable disease-affected area cannot donate blood within a year of their return. "I feel regret that I cannot donate blood this time around," Chen said, adding that he will instead encourage the Presidential Office staff to donate blood to inspire more people to follow suit.
In his view, Chen said, donating blood is both an act of self-interest and altruism that can help boost social harmony. "Through donating blood, we can help save our own lives, those of our families and those of other people, " he said. "Let us be happy blood donors."
Medical sources said nearly all major domestic blood banks are in dire shortage of various types of blood at the moment.