On 2 March, Ukraine's first long-term red blood cell bank officially opened in Kyiv, the Ministry of Health has said.
This will allow storing the blood component for up to 30 years.
The Ministry of Health noted that work on the project began immediately after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, as the need for quality medical care for both wounded soldiers and patients with complex cases has increased dramatically in the country.
According to Chief State Sanitary Doctor Ihor Kuzin, the opening of the first bank for long-term storage of red blood cells will allow for future planning of the donation strategy for years to come.
The project will also make it possible to freeze rare blood types in Ukraine, store them for decades, and develop operational logistics in the most difficult conditions (for example, in combat zones to rescue injured soldiers and civilians).