Blood shortages reported in China

BEIJING, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- In a move to address China's blood supply shortage, the country's health minister has donated blood and says health workers should take the lead in donating.

Health Minister Chen Zhu donated blood Friday in Beijing, joined by almost 500 employees of the ministry and local hospitals, China's state-run news agency Xinhua reported.

Shortages of blood have been reported in some cities and provinces including Beijing, Shandong, Shanxi, Jiangxi and Yunnan, Xinhua said.