The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a call to action for increased blood donations across Africa, highlighting the critical need for safe blood to save lives during health emergencies. Speaking on World Blood Donor Day, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, stressed the importance of innovative approaches to boost blood donation rates on the continent.
“The donation of safe blood is essential in helping individuals grappling with life-threatening health emergencies, including accidents,” Dr. Moeti stated. She noted that despite targeted awareness campaigns, Africa’s blood donation rates lag behind the rest of the world, which undermines the resilience of the continent’s public health systems.
According to WHO data, African countries collect only 5.2 units of blood per 1,000 people—a figure significantly below the organization’s recommended rate of 10 donations per 1,000 people and far from the 33 units collected per 1,000 people in developed countries. “The demand for blood remains constant, while the supply often falls short,” Dr. Moeti remarked.
Over the past decade, the WHO has provided technical and financial support to African nations to enhance the availability of safe blood products in health facilities. Countries have developed policies, strategic plans, and standards to promote blood donation and ensure safe storage. There has been progress: the number of African countries with a national blood policy increased from 37 in 2015 to 43 in 2022, and the average number of blood units collected per 1,000 people rose from 4.5 to 5.2.
The WHO is also assisting national regulatory authorities and blood transfusion services to oversee donation drives that meet quality and safety standards. The percentage of countries participating in external quality assessment for transfusion-transmissible infections has increased from 55.3% to 62.2%.
Dr. Moeti urged African governments to inspire citizens to view blood donation as a patriotic duty. She called for strengthening national blood transfusion services through training and embracing new technologies. “We need to find innovative ways to increase blood donations to meet the growing demand for this life-saving commodity in our emergency wards,” she said.
The challenge of ensuring sufficient blood supplies is not unique to Africa. Many countries in Asia also grapple with similar issues, underscoring the need for global cooperation and shared solutions. By learning from each other and supporting international efforts, nations can enhance their blood donation systems, ultimately saving more lives around the world.
Reference(s):
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