On World Blood Donor Day WHO SEARO urges all everyone to promote a culture of regular blood donation to diversity and sustainability of the blood donor pool
The WHO South East Asia Region (SEAR) has recorded around 22.3 million whole blood donations, with 100% screened for transfusion-transmitted infections (TTI) and ABO grouping, regional director Saima Wazed said in a statement on World Blood Donor Day (June 14).
“On WBDD, we urge everyone to promote a culture of regular blood donation, and increase the diversity and sustainability of the blood donor pool. Find out your blood type, register as a blood donor, donate blood and encourage your friends and family to become regular blood donors,” Wazed said in her statement while also highlighting the genesis of the day.
World Blood Donor Day is celebrated on 14 June to honour and thank those people who donate their blood, voluntarily and unpaid, to give others the gift of life. It is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Karl Landsteiner, who discovered the ABO blood group system.
This years marks the 20th year of World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) after it was first organised in 2004, by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners. The theme this year is ‘celebrating 20 years of giving: thank you blood donors!’
“Blood transfusion plays a critical role in healthcare, benefiting patients in need of blood and its components who face life-threatening conditions. Transfusions help patients live longer and with a better quality of life. They support complex medical and surgical procedures, making them indispensable in maternal and childcare, as well as during natural or man-made disasters. Unfortunately, in many countries, demand exceeds supply, posing a challenge for blood services to make sufficient blood available while ensuring its quality and safety. Voluntary unpaid blood donations are the foundation of a safe and sufficient blood supply,” Wazed added.
