Shanghai Jiahui International Hospital launched its annual voluntary blood donation initiative on Monday, one day after this year's International Doctors' Day, with the participation of over 100 individuals, including its local and expat healthcare workers.

They collectively donated 21,400 milliliters of blood at the event themed "Lend an Arm: Share the Pulse of Life" and supported by institutions, including the Shanghai Xuhui District Blood Management Office.

According to statistics from the Shanghai Blood Center, the city requires about 1,500 units of blood each day to meet the demands for clinical use.

Dr Ahmed Arafat, a pediatrician at Jiahui from Egypt, has lived in China for over a decade. It was his third time to participate in blood donation.

"Blood transfusion plays an irreplaceable role in medical treatment. In addition to the use for trauma, maternal cases, and surgeries, it can also benefit patients with blood diseases. I hope more individuals will join to support such charitable initiatives," he said.