Donating blood is an act of solidarity

Ranjan K Baruah

(With direct inputs from UN/WHO publication and feedback may be sent to bkranjan@gmail.com)

One of the best things that we can do in life is to donate blood and save someone's life. Each and every one of us can donate blood when we fulfil certain criteria like weight, proper age, etc. Of the 118.5 million blood donations collected globally, 40% of these are collected in high-income countries, home to 16% of the world's population. In low-income countries, up to 54% of blood transfusions are given to children under 5 years of age; whereas, in high-income countries, the most frequently transfused patient group is over 60 years of age, accounting for up to 76% of all transfusions.

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. Only 56 of 171 reporting countries produce plasma-derived medicinal products (PDMP) through the fractionation of plasma collected in the reporting countries. A total of 91 countries reported that all PDMP are imported, 16 countries reported that no PDMP were used during the reporting period, and 8 countries did not respond to the question.

We are aware that blood and blood products are essential resources for effective management of women suffering from bleeding associated with pregnancy and childbirth; children suffering from severe anaemia due to malaria and malnutrition; patients with blood and bone marrow disorders inherited disorders of haemoglobin and immune deficiency conditions; victims of trauma, emergencies, disasters and accidents; as well as patients undergoing advanced medical and surgical procedures. The need for blood is universal, but access to blood for all those who need it is not. Blood shortages are particularly acute in low-and middle-income countries.

To raise awareness related to blood donors, one day is especially observed around the world. World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) takes place on 14 June each year and was created to raise global awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products for transfusion; highlight the critical contribution voluntary, unpaid blood donors make to national health systems; support national blood transfusion services, blood donor organizations and other non-governmental organizations in strengthening and expanding their voluntary blood donor programmes by reinforcing national and local campaigns.

To ensure that everyone who needs transfusion has access to safe blood, all countries need voluntary, unpaid blood donors who give blood regularly. The irony is that there are individuals who have donated blood every year and there are individuals who have never donated blood in their lifetime. For 2022, the WBDD slogan is "Donating blood is an act of solidarity. The specific objectives of this year's campaign are to thank blood donors in the world and create wider public awareness of the need for regular, unpaid blood donation apart from others."

There is no doubt that most people can give blood if they are in good health. There are some basic requirements one needs to fulfil in order to become a blood donor. We should not forget that safe blood is essential for helping people of all ages who suffer from diseases, disasters and accidents. Our donation saves lives and makes our community safe. Blood transfusion saves lives and improves health, but many patients requiring transfusion do not have timely access to safe blood. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all activities related to blood collection, testing, processing, storage and distribution be coordinated at the national level through effective organization and integrated blood supply networks.

Together we can make a difference and India may be a leading nation that can even export blood whenever needed. If all Indians started donating blood then there may not be a shortage of blood in the country and we may even export to other countries whenever needed. The voluntary donor must get support from the blood banks to encourage more voluntary blood donations. There are many organizations in our country that organize different blood donation camps and we can also become part of such voluntary blood donation camps. Let us be proud blood donors and save lives.