Blood transfusion

Blood transfusion saves lives and improves health

Blood transfusion saves lives and improves health. A blood service that gives patients access to safe blood and blood products in sufficient quantity is a key component of an effective health system. The need for blood is constant. Patients need blood for transfusion in both normal and emergency (such as pandemic) situations.   Around 118.5 million units of donated blood are collected globally every year, although more units would need to be collected to meet the needs of transfusion of all the patients in the world. 

Blood transfusions are used to support various treatments

6In high-income countries, the most frequently transfused patient group is over 65 years of age, accounting for up to 76% of all transfusions. The transfusion is commonly used for supportive care in cardiovascular surgery, transplant surgery, massive trauma, and therapy for solid and haematological malignancies. In low- and middle-income countries, it is used more often for management of pregnancy-related complications, childhood malaria complicated by severe anaemia, and trauma-related injuries.

Adequate supply of safe blood can only be assured through regular, voluntary, unpaid donation

Adequate and reliable supply of safe blood can only be assured through a stable base of regular, voluntary, unpaid blood donors. They are the safest group of donors because the prevalence of bloodborne infections is lowest among them. WHO urges countries to develop national blood systems based on voluntary, unpaid blood donations to achieve the goal of self-sufficiency in safe blood and blood products.

An increase of 10.7 million blood donations from voluntary unpaid donors has been reported from 2008 to 2018.

An increase of 10.7 million blood donations from voluntary unpaid donors has been reported from 2008 to 2018. In total, 79 countries collect over 90% of their blood supply from voluntary unpaid blood donors; however, 54 countries collect more than 50% of their blood supply from family/replacement or paid donors.

Around 118.5 million blood donations are collected globally every year

About 60 % of these are donated in low- and middle-income countries where some 84% of the world’s population lives. The average blood donation rate is more than 6.3 times greater in high-income countries than in low-income countries. Globally 33% of blood donations are given by women, although this ranges widely. In 15 of the 113 reporting countries, less than 10% of donations are given by female donors. The age profile of blood donors shows that, proportionally, more young people donate blood in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries.

Collections at blood centres vary according to income group

About 13 300 blood centres in 169 countries report collecting a total of 106 million blood donations. The median annual blood donations per centre is 25 700in high-income countries, as compared to 9 300in upper-middle-income countries, 4 400in lower-middle-income countries and 1 300 in low-income countries.

More people in high-income countries donate blood than in other countries

Donated blood should always be screened

All donated blood should always be screened for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis prior to transfusion. Yet 10 countries are not able to screen all donated blood for one or more of these infections. Testing is not reliable in many countries because of irregular supply of test kits, staff shortages, poor quality test kits, or lack of basic quality in laboratories.

A single unit of blood can benefit several patients

Separating blood into its various components allows a single unit of blood to benefit several patients and provides a patient only the blood component which is needed. About 96%% of the blood collected in high-income countries, 96% in upper-middle-income countries, 75% in lower-middle-income countries and 38% in low-income countries is separated into blood components.

Unnecessary transfusions expose patients to needless risk

Often transfusions are prescribed when simple and safe alternative treatments might be equally effective. As a result such a transfusion may not be necessary. An unnecessary transfusion exposes patients to the risk of infections such as HIV and hepatitis and adverse transfusion reactions.