By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The World Health Organization, WHO, African Regional Director, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti has called on countries in the region to tackle the persistent challenges hindering the flow of sustainable access to safe and quality blood and blood products for patients.
Dr. Moeti made this call in a message to mark the 2023 World Blood Donor Day, in the African Region.
Moeti who called on Nigeria and countries in the African Region and said, ” We must address persistent challenges to ensure sustainable access to safe and quality-assured blood and blood products for needy patients. ”
According to her, this can be achieved through collaborative efforts by countries to 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 curb inappropriate clinical transfusion practices. Blood donation still remains low income countries.”
Furthermore, she emphasized that 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, adding that for financial barrier to accessing safe blood in Africa Region , is causing patients to pay, on average, US$ 42 out of pocket to access safe blood.”
“Results from a survey conducted in 2022 revealed that sixteen (16) countries out of thirty-nine (39) that took part in the survey, had more than 80% of voluntary non-remunerated blood donation (VNRBD), and 19 countries had less than 50% of voluntary non-remunerated blood donation.”
These statistics indicate that there is a need for more work to be done in the African Region to improve access to safe blood and blood products, she noted.
A blood service that gives patients access to safe blood and blood products in sufficient quantity is a key component of an effective health system providing patient centered healthcare and focusing on assuring equitable access with the aim of progressing to achieving Universal Health Coverage.
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.
The World Blood Donor Day is celebrated every year on 14 June to raise awareness of safe blood and blood products, such as plasma, and highlight the critical contribution of voluntary, unpaid blood donors to save lives.
It gives a special opportunity to celebrate and thank voluntary blood donors worldwide for their gift of blood; as the day also focuses on achieving universal access to safe blood transfusion.
This year’s campaign slogan is “Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often” and 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.
The WHO Regional Lead used the day to celebrate and thank individuals who donate blood and encourage all of us to join efforts to ensure access to safe blood for all in need.
“I would like to emphasize the critical roles of regular voluntary unpaid blood and plasma donations in achieving universal access to safe blood products for all populations.”
Moeti said, ‘ I call on governments, partners, and all stakeholders to mobilize support at district, national and regional levels to invest in strengthening and sustaining blood programs.”
Donating blood is an act of solidarity. Becoming a blood donor will help ease the pressure on health systems and save lives.
