China's first "Home for Blood Donors", a special gym with various kinds of body-building equipment designed solely for Shanghai blood donors, opened in Shanghai last Friday.

In addition, previous blood donors may share experiences with potential givers here, and information is available for research on blood donation.

Shanghai will strengthen its efforts to offer services and convenience for blood donors in the future, including establishing blood sampling stations across the city, opening free consultation hot-line for the public, arranging free-of-charge physical examination services for blood donors and opening the blood center to visitors to make them understand more related knowledge, according to Zhu Yongming, director of the municipal blood center.

The per capita blood consumption of Shanghai reached 6.6 ml in 2000, over eight times China's average amount, statistics show.

The number of blood donors increased 6,500 in Shanghai last year.

(eastday.com 09/30/2001)