The World Health Organisation (WHO) says donating just one unit of blood can save the lives of up to three patients.

Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa, said this in a message to commemorate the 2022 World Blood Donor Day, celebrated every June 14.

“This year’s theme, `Donating blood is an act of solidarity. Join the effort and save lives’. The day highlights the critical role of voluntary blood donations in saving lives, and enhancing community solidarity and social cohesion,” said Ms Moeti. “Donating just one unit of blood can save the lives of up to three patients.”

According to her, the global community marks the day to focus on the gift of life from voluntary unpaid blood donors around the world.

“On this day I urge African governments and political leaders to prioritise the provision of adequate human and financial resources to secure the future of national blood transfusion services,” explained the WHO official. “A blood service that gives patients access to safe blood and blood products, in sufficient quantities, is a key component of an effective health system.”

Ms Moeti also explained that the organisation in Africa, joined the call for more people to become regular blood donors.

She said compared to other regions globally, Africa saw a disproportionate number of conditions requiring donor blood, impacting as many as seven million patients every year.

“Examples include haemorrhage associated with pregnancy and childbirth, severe anaemia due to malaria and malnutrition, bone marrow and inherited blood disorders, trauma and accidents, as well as man-made and natural disasters,” Ms Moeti. “While the need for donor blood is universal, access for everyone who needs it is not.”

Ms Moeti also said in Africa, demand regularly outstripped supply negatively, impacting timely access for all patients who needed safe and quality-assured blood to save their lives.

“As a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, voluntary unpaid blood donations dropped significantly. Malawi, for example, registered a 46 per cent decrease in donations,’’ she noted.

Ms Moeti further pointed out that countries across Africa worked hard to improve blood donation frequency, and the situation was showing signs of stabilising.

(NAN)