Released on Friday ahead of World Blood Donor Day, June 14, the WHO study offers the most comprehensive assessment to date of the world’s blood transfusion systems, drawing on data from 168 countries representing 97 percent of the world’s population.
The report highlights significant advances in blood donation and safety. More than 85 percent of blood donations worldwide now come from voluntary, unpaid donors – long considered the safest and most sustainable source of blood.
Progress remains uneven
While many countries have strengthened their national blood transfusion systems and expanded access to safe transfusions, shortages, poor governance and inadequate financing continue to limit access in many low- and middle-income countries.
“Access to an adequate and safe supply of blood and blood products, combined with safe transfusion practices, is a fundamental part of resilient health systems and an essential enabler of universal health coverage,” wrote Deusdedit Mubangizi, director of medicines and health products policies and standards at WHO, in the report’s preface.
“Despite notable progress over the past decade, universal access to safe blood and blood products remains elusive for many countries.»
More than transfusions
A reliable blood supply is essential for treating a wide range of medical conditions, from severe bleeding during childbirth and emergency surgeries to cancer treatment, chronic blood disorders and severe anemia.
Donated plasma – the liquid part of blood – is also used to produce medicines for people with bleeding disorders, immune deficiencies and other serious illnesses.
When safe blood is not available, patients can die from otherwise treatable illnesses or injuries.
The report examines every step of the transfusion chain, from donor recruitment and blood collection to laboratory testing, clinical use and access to plasma-derived medicines.
A permanent challenge
It identifies inadequate governance and unsustainable funding among the main obstacles facing national blood services in many countries.
It also notes ongoing efforts to diversify plasma collection and strengthen global supply chains for plasma-derived medicines, which remain inaccessible or unaffordable in many settings.
According to the WHO, achieving equitable access will require sustained political commitment, stronger national systems and continued international cooperation.
World Blood Donor Day
This year’s World Blood Donor Day campaign focuses on the theme: “A drop of humanity. Donate blood. Save lives.»
The campaign aims to encourage regular voluntary blood donation while promoting what WHO describes as the values of solidarity, compassion and shared responsibility that underpin safe blood transfusion systems around the world.
