The World Health Organisation (WHO) says donating just one unit of blood can save the lives of up to three patients.
The is a message from the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti in commemoration of the 2022 World Blood Donor Day.
According to him the African Region sees a disproportionate number of conditions requiring donor blood, impacting as many as seven million patients every year compared to other Regions globally.
He said while the need for donor blood is universal, access for everyone who needs it is not.
In the African Region he said demand regularly outstrips supply, negatively impacting timely access for all patients who need safe and quality-assured blood to save their lives.
Dr. Moeti said countries across the African Region have worked hard to improve blood donation frequency, and the situation is showing signs of stabilizing.
He said blood transfusion services in many countries reached out to blood donors through public awareness campaigns, transporting donors from and to their homes, using digital platforms and establishing call centres.
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He said the situation remains challenging, and it is exacerbated by issues such as staff shortages and limited funding from governments and partners organizations for effective blood donor education, recruitment, and retention.
He urge African governments and political leaders to prioritize the provision of adequate human and financial resources to secure the future of national blood transfusion services.
A blood service which gives patients access to safe blood and blood products, in sufficient quantities, he says is a key component of an effective health system.
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He said donating blood is an act of solidarity noting that by becoming a blood donor, you will help ease the pressure on health systems still struggling under the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The World Blood Donor Day is celebrated globally on the 14th of June and it focus on the gift of life from voluntary unpaid blood donors around the world.
The theme of the year is; donating blood an act of solidarity. Join the effort and save lives, highlights the critical role of voluntary blood donations in saving lives, and enhancing community solidarity and social cohesion.
