Latest news with #voluntarydonation
Arab News
a day ago
- Health
- Arab News
WHO says Pakistan receives less than half of 5 million blood donations it needs annually
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan receives less than half of the five million blood donations it needs each year, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday, highlighting critical gaps in the country's health care system as it vowed to promote voluntary donations. About 1.9 million of Pakistan's 2.3 million annual blood donations come from family or replacement donors, while only 18 percent are voluntary and unpaid, according to official data cited by the WHO. This reliance often delays treatment and poses risks for patients with chronic conditions such as thalassemia, hemophilia and cancer, who require regular transfusions. 'Medical centers in Pakistan need over 5 million blood donations annually and will require 5.6 million by 2030 but they are currently receiving only approximately 2.3 million donations per year,' the WHO said in a statement released on World Blood Donor Day. The WHO and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences held a blood donation drive in which around 150 volunteers participated under the theme 'Give blood, give hope – together we save lives.' As per the WHO, voluntary blood donations are considered the safest and most sustainable as such donors are less likely to transmit infectious diseases, it added. WHO's representative in Pakistan, Dr. Dapeng Luo, highlighted that each blood donation could save up to three lives. 'Every patient who needs blood should be able to receive it,' he said. 'WHO will continue to work with Pakistan to strengthen a blood service that promotes voluntary donations and gives patients access to safe blood and blood products in sufficient quantity.' Pakistan's health ministry and the WHO urged the public to donate blood voluntarily to help address a shortage that is straining hospitals' ability to save lives. Pakistan's Director General of Health, Shabana Saleem, welcomed the technical support from the WHO, saying it would lead to improved screening and testing. 'Giving blood is giving life, and together we can do this,' she said. 'We are in the phase of revitalizing the Regional Blood Transfusion Center.' The WHO concluded that it was supporting Pakistan in strengthening blood banks and promoting standardized screening methods to ensure safe and sufficient blood supplies for all.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Health
- Zawya
Eritrea: Effective Achievements in Ensuring Blood Supply
Mr. Bereket Mosazgi, secretary of the National Voluntary Blood Donors Association, reported that significant achievements have been registered in ensuring a consistent blood supply to health facilities through voluntary blood donation. Mr. Bereket made the comment in connection with World Blood Donation Day, 14 June. Noting that the annual blood demand of the National Blood Transfusion Service ranges from 12,000 to 15,000 units, Mr. Bereket stated that voluntary blood donations, which were fewer than 10,000 units in 2019, surpassed 16,000 units in 2024. This, he said, reflects the growing public awareness. Mr. Bereket noted that the main objective of the association is to ensure a sustainable blood supply to health facilities. He stated that the association is expanding its network, improving its systems, and working closely with partners to meet its goals. He also mentioned that the number of active members has reached 12,000 and that 67 institutions regularly donate blood voluntarily, in addition to numerous individuals and group donors. World Blood Donation Day, 14 June, will be observed under the theme 'Give Blood, Give Hope: Together We Save Lives', featuring various programs highlighting the importance of the day. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.
