Question:
A recent article in the Young Post revealed that the number of blood donors in Hong Kong has hit a record low. Less than 2 percent of the population is regular donors. The blood bank will go empty in less than two months.
Write to the editor of the Young Post expressing your views on the following:
* why many people in Hong Kong refuse to donate blood
* whether setting laws requiring citizens to donate blood twice per year will effectively solve the problem
Content: 6/7
Language: 6/7
Organization: 6/7
(18/21 --> 5*/5**)
Dear Editor,
Not long ago, it emerged that the number of blood donors here in Hong Kong has hit rock-bottom, as less than a meagre two percent of our population is regular blood donors. This phenomenon is utterly of grave concern. While a law stipulating that Hong Kongers must donate blood twice a year is worth looking into, the gripe about the disadvantages to being a blood donor truly takes precedence over everything else.
With that, I have identified two noteworthy reasons behind this downward trend of blood donors.
To commence with, it is humans' instinct that alters people's opinions on blood donation. Growing up in a world admiring science, people are utterly no stranger to the pain needles lead to. Additionally, not for a moment have people welcomed pain, given how much mothers suffer during childbirth. This atavistic fear of pain now has people steer clear of anything painful. With blood donation among the painful jobs, people tend not to donate blood.
On top of this, people may not understand the upsides. Despite the dire words of warning from the blood bank, does it appear on any posters or in any advertisements on TV? Educating people about their obligation to donate blood does go a long way towards raising the number of (regular) blood donors here in Hong Kong. Yet, it is long overdue. Had people learned about the benefits earlier, the blood bank would not have issued such a warning. For instance, having given birth to a bundle of joy, mothers are often in desperate need of blood. Their lives hinge upon the city's blood donation rate as far as transfusion is concerned.
Suffice it to say, the aforementioned causes are just among a sea of reasons behind this alarming number of blood donors. As such, many have suggested utilising legislation to mandate blood donation twice a year, with our citizens subject to it. Nevertheless, I am of the opinion that imposing this law is not by any stretch the magic bullet, and blood donation cannot be made compulsory like a knife through butter.
The peremptory law ordering citizens to donate blood twice a year looks impeccable on paper, yet it is not categorically helpful. It may instead backfire and encourage people to protest against a lack of human rights. It is often recommended that people should be given the right to opt to or not to be a blood donor, as distinct from being forced to. They may use whatever reasons they want, such as a violation of human rights, the law constituting blasphemy, etc., to justify defying the rule. In consequence, not only will demonstrations against the law be triggered off, but the government will also be running the gauntlet of the tens of thousands opposing the law, and might in turn send Hong Kong into turmoil. This, provided that human rights are much respected in many Western countries. After all, it is likely to create more problems and we can actually resolve as it arouses people's ire.
In conclusion, only when that obligation to donate blood is made clear and people's fears are assuaged will the issue of a lack of blood donors be resolved altogether. It is about time the government considered whether education should be prioritised. Otherwise, telling people who know nothing about how donating blood can help those in need the benefits is no different from casting pearls before swine.
Yours faithfully,
Chris Wong
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