‘Mantṧali Phakoana
A service that gives patients access to safe blood and blood products in sufficient quantity is a key component of an effective health system, World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, has said.
In a message to commemorate World Blood Donor Day on Wednesday this week, Moeti noted that service providers should offer patient centred healthcare and focus on assuring equitable access with the aim of progressing towards achieving universal health coverage.
The day is celebrated annually on June 14 to raise awareness on safe blood and blood products, such as plasma, and highlight the critical contribution of voluntary, unpaid blood donors to save lives.
It is a special opportunity to celebrate and thank voluntary blood donors worldwide for their gift of blood.
The theme for this year’s campaign is “Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often.” It underlines the role every person can play by regularly giving the valuable gift of blood to create a safe and sustainable supply of blood and blood products that can always be available to needy patients.
“Over the years, member states in the WHO African Region have made significant progress in establishing nationally coordinated blood transfusion services, policy frameworks, and national standards for collecting, testing, processing, storing and distributing blood and blood products.
“This notable progress, notwithstanding, only eight countries have blood services that are designed to always ensure the highest levels of quality and safety for patients and donors,” Moeti said.
She indicated that reliance on non-renumerated blood donors is still high, with 16 countries accounting for over 80% of voluntary non-remunerated blood donation.
“Blood collection remains low at an average donation rate of 5.9 units per 1000 people compared to 33.1 donations per 1000 people in high-income countries. Of concern is the financial barrier to accessing safe blood,” she added.
Results from a survey conducted in 2022 revealed that 16 countries out of 39 that took part had more than 80% of voluntary non-remunerated blood donation (VNRBD), and 19 countries had less than 50% of voluntary non-remunerated blood donation. Thirty countries reported that plasma-derived medicinal products were listed on their essential medicines list 2.
These statistics show that there is a need for more work to be done in the African Region to improve access to safe blood and blood products.
“We must address persistent challenges to ensure sustainable access to safe and quality-assured blood and blood products for needy patients. Through our collaborative efforts, we must raise adequate and sustainable funding and increase blood donation rates.
“We also need to build the capacity of countries to separate donated blood into its components such as red cell concentrates, platelet concentrates, fresh frozen plasma, and cryoprecipitate, and curb inappropriate clinical transfusion practices,” Moeti said.
She further called on governments, partners, and all stakeholders to mobilise support at district, national and regional levels to invest in strengthening and sustaining blood programmes.
