New rules draw blood in China

BEIJING - New blood donation rules in northwestern and eastern China have triggered a public backlash.

According to health authorities in Baoji, Shaanxi Province, residents must donate blood at least once before they can receive driving licenses or marriage certificates, enrolled at university and start working for a government agencies. Military personnel and college students have been asked to make donations once a year.

Astonishment and anger are illuminating social media platforms.

"Blood donation should be voluntary rather than mandatory. Who had the right to deprive the personal rights?" said "962464" on Sina Weibo.

"Some high school graduates are still minors and they should not make blood donations," said "Maiqilin. Marriage, driving license and all these things have nothing to do with blood donation."

In response to public criticism, Li Shuanlin, deputy director of Baoji's central blood station, said the health authority was acting within the blood donation law. Baoji health bureau used its Weibo account to argue that the new rules are proposals rather than mandatory measures.

In a separate case in Pujiang county, Zhejiang Province, new rules award children of people who have donated between 4 liters to 8 liters of blood three bonus points on their senior high school entrance exam.

County health authorities said it takes years to reach the minimum blood donation level and very a few people are eligible

"The policy could turn voluntary free donation into 'blackmailed' or 'paid' donation," said Fang Zhanhua, head of the Zhejiang Research Institute of Education Science.

"It also could lead to social inequity and confusion of values, " said Fang.

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