Blood donation is a noble behavior and human initiative performed by a healthy, sound person to a sick or injured person to help saving their life. To that effect, over 107 million donated blood units have been collected from all over the world. Thus, the World Health Organization (WHO) is seeking to make all countries obtain 100% of their blood supplies through the voluntary and free donations by the advent of 2020.
Facts about blood donation:
- Globally, over 107 million blood donations are collected. Almost its half comes from the high-income countries accounting for 15% of the world population. This marks an increase by 25% compared to those collected in 2004 which stood at 80 million blood donations.
- As far as the low-income countries are concerned, they conduct below five child-based blood transfusion procedures by 65%. On the other hand, more often than not, patients at the age of 65 and over in the high-income countries form the group to which the blood is transfused. Such a group makes up 76% of all the transfusion procedures.
- The blood donation rate stands at 39.2 blood donations per every 1000 persons in the high-income countries, 12.6 ones in the medium-income countries and 4, 0 ones in the low-income countries.
- Over 7, 70 million blood donation increase was recorded from 2004 to 2011 by voluntary donors, and by paid ones. Similarly, there are 71 countries collecting a percentage more than 90% of their blood supplies by voluntary blood donors for free. On the other hand, 73 countries gather more than 50% of their blood supplies by their family members or paid blood donors.
- There are 41 countries out of 151 ones manufacturing medical products derived from the plasma, whereas other countries numbering 110 ones import these products overseas.
Approved Date:
Internationally: June 14th, 2014
Locally : Shaban 16th, 1435 H
Theme of theWorld Blood Donor Day 2014:
Targeted Groups:
- The youth
- Those experiencing different accidents.
- Those undergoing major surgical operations.
- Those with blood cancer or other types of cancer
- Those with genetic blood diseases such as anemia, sickle-cell anemia and Thalassemia.
- Those working in the medical field including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and health educators.
- Those working in the education field including teachers, social workers and others.
- Health decision makers
- Medical organizations and bodies
Main Health messages:
The objectives of this year's campaign are summed as following:-
- Extending thanks to the blood donors for their life-saving donations.
- Encouraging voluntary and unpaid donation.
- Boosting the behaviors urging on reducing the risks, in order for individuals to protect their health and donate safe blood.
- Having the Ministry of Health (MOH)Achieve self-sufficiency in terms of the safe blood and safe blood products , and depending on the voluntary and free blood donations by 100%.
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