Blood transfusion saves millions of lives every year. It can help in the proper management of women experiencing bleeding associated with pregnancy and childbirth, children with severe anaemia, patients with inherited disorders such as thalassemia, and victims of trauma, emergencies, disasters, and accidents.
This year’s campaign focuses on blood donation and universal access to blood and blood products under the slogan of 'Safe blood for all'. "We aim to raise awareness of the need for regular blood donations to ensure that all individuals and communities have access to affordable and timely supplies of safe and quality-assured blood and blood products. This is an integral part of every country’s progress towards UHC and to enhance health systems. Both go in line with our regional vision 2023,” said Dr Al-Mandhari.
Although the need for blood is universal, many countries in the WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region face the challenge of making sufficient blood available, while also ensuring its quality and safety, especially in humanitarian emergencies.
“An adequate and safe blood supply that meets the needs of patients at all times can only be ensured through regular donations by voluntary, unpaid blood donors,” Dr Al-Mandhari stated in his message on World Blood Donor Day 2019.
World Blood Donor Day serves to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gift of blood and to raise awareness of the universal need for safe blood in the delivery of health care and the crucial roles that regular, voluntary donations play in achieving the goal of UHC.
On this occasion, the WHO is also calling on all countries to celebrate and thank individuals who donate blood and to encourage those who have not previously donated blood to start donating.
"Everyone who can donate blood should consider making regular donations so that all countries have adequate blood supplies to help those in need," added the Regional Director.