Blood Donor Day: Donating One Unit Can Save Three Lives

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

“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.
Moeti said that, the organization in the African Region, joined the call for more people to become regular blood donors.
She said compared to other regions globally, the African Region 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.
“While the need for donor blood is universal, access for everyone who needs it is not.’’
Moeti said in the African Region, demand regularly outstripped supply negatively, impacting timely access for all patients who needed safe and quality assured blood to save their lives.

She said that 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.
She said others were advocacy for integrating blood safety in the plans and strengthening the legal and regulatory framework for blood safety.