The importance of safe, sustainable blood supplies

The importance of safe, sustainable blood supplies

Blood shortages can increase the risk of HIV transmission through blood transfusion as health authorities may become less stringent about the source of donated blood.^{56 57} This is especially problematic when screening is not in place and when HIV prevalence is high.

Acquiring 100% voluntary, non-remunerated donors is a challenge for many countries. For a country to maintain a sustainable blood supply only 1 to 3 percent of a country's population need to donate blood. However, 2007 figures show the donation rate in 73 countries, out of 162 surveyed, is less than 1 percent of the population.⁵⁸

Blood donation rates are considerably less in developing countries when compared to transitional countries, which have a donation rate 3 times higher, and developed countries, which have a donation rate 13 times higher.⁵⁹ For example, sub-Saharan Africa is home to 14 percent of the world's population, yet total blood donations are estimated to be 6.3 percent of the total global blood donations.^{60 61}

Sometimes cultural factors may inhibit the success of blood programmes. For example in China, cultural beliefs are often the cause of blood shortages. In traditional Chinese culture the loss of blood is not only detrimental to your health but also a disloyal act against your ancestors.⁶² However, on the other hand it is also believed that receiving an unnecessary blood transfusion benefits your health and in many rural parts this practice is used as a 'health booster'.^{63 64} Inappropriate clinical use of blood, such as this, not only contributes to blood shortages, but in countries which do not test blood appropriately, can increase the risk of HIV infection.

Those most in need of safe blood and therefore most vulnerable from blood shortages and unscreened blood are pregnant women, children and haemophiliacs.^{65 66} A lack of safe blood in southern Africa accounts for an estimated 15 percent of anemia related child deaths^{67 68} and 44 percent of maternal deaths are due to hemorrhaging during pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa.^{69 70}

Attempts globally to meet the Millennium Development Goals 4 (to reduce child mortality), 5 (Improve maternal health) and 6 (to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases)⁷¹ will not be achieved without persistent efforts by individual countries to develop safe and sustainable blood supplies.