blood Donation Increase Across The Americas: Paho Data Shows Progress, Challenges Persist
Washington, D.C.- A New Report From the pan American Health Organization (Paho/Who) Reveals Significant Strides In Blood Donation Across The Americas. The Data, Released Just Ahead Of World Blood Donor Day On June 14, 2025, Indicates That While Progress Has Been Made, Reaching 100% Voluntary Donations Still Faces Key Obstacles.
Significant Increase In Blood Units Collected
The Preliminary Report, Titled “Access To Blood For Transfusion In Latin American And Caribbean Countries 2023,” Shows That 23 Countries-17 In Latin America And 6 Non-Spanish-Speaking Caribbean Nations-Collected A total Of 9,212,861 Units Of Blood In 2023. This Represents A 15.5% Increase Compared To The 7,776,198 Units Collected In 2020.
Notably, Nearly 80% Of These Countries Reported Substantial Increases. The Improvements Are Largely Attributed To Post-Pandemic Recovery Efforts And The Implementation Of New Awareness Strategies Around Blood Transfusions.
Paho Director Emphasizes Equitable Access
“Equitable Access to Safe Blood Is A Right for All People, And This Can Only Be Guaranteed Through Well-Organized, Efficient Systems Based On Regular, Voluntary, And Non-Remunerated Donation,” Said Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Paho Director.
He Expressed Gratitude To Regular Donors And Encouraged More People To Participate In This Life-Saving act Of Solidarity.
Regional Disparities in Donation Rates
Across The Region, The Average Is 16 blood Donations per 1,000 Inhabitants. Though, Significant Disparities Exist. Thirteen Countries Fall Below This Average, While Ten exceed It. Brazil,Mexico,Colombia,And Argentina Together Account For 75% Of Total Donations.
voluntary Donations On The Rise
In 2023, 56.8% Of Donated Blood Came From Voluntary Donors, Marking A 6.7% increase Compared To 2019. This Positive Trend Signals A Resumption Of Pre-Pandemic Growth, Primarily Fueled By Digital Campaigns, Mobile Donation Drives, And Institutional Partnerships. All Donations Were Given Freely, With no Countries Reporting Paid Donations.
Pro Tip: Regular, Voluntary Blood Donation Is Crucial For Maintaining A Stable And Safe Blood Supply. Consider Becoming A Regular Donor To Help Save Lives!
The Importance Of Altruistic Donations
Mauricio Beltrán,Paho’s Regional Blood Services Advisor,Stressed That Enduring Access To Safe Blood And Plasma Depends On voluntary,Non-Remunerated Donation.
“We Need More Regular,Altruistic Donors,” He Said,Explaining That This Type Of Donation Prevents Shortages And Provides More Predictable access Compared to Family Donations,Which Are Often reactive.
improvements In Safety And Quality
The Report Also Highlights Improvements In safety And Quality. Specifically,100% Of Donated Units were Screened For Transfusion-Transmissible Infections,And 90% Were Fractionated Into components Such As Red Blood Cells,Plasma,And Platelets,Optimizing Their Clinical Use.This Fractionation Process Maximizes The Benefit From each Unit Of Donated Blood.
Did You Know? Blood components like platelets are crucial for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Structural Challenges Persist
Despite These Gains, National And Regional Blood Systems Face Structural challenges. Over 1,900 Collection Sites And 1,400 Processing Centers Operate Independently, Which Limits Overall Efficiency. Only Four Countries Processed More Than 10,000 Units Per Year On Average, With Paraguay Leading At 20,706 Units.
| Country | Average Units Processed Per Year |
|---|---|
| Paraguay | 20,706 |
| Other 3 Countries | Over 10,000 |
The Critical Role Of Blood Transfusions
Blood Transfusions Remain Essential For Treating Postpartum Hemorrhage, Childhood Anemia Caused By Malnutrition Or Malaria, Injuries From Disasters, And Various Complex Surgical Procedures. Paho Continues To Urge Governments To invest In Efficient National Blood Systems, Promote voluntary Blood Donation,And Strengthen Oversight To Ensure Equitable And safe Access For All.
World Blood Donor Day 2025
This Year’s World Blood donor Day Campaign,Operating under The Theme “Give Blood,Give Hope: Together We save Lives,” Aims To Increase Awareness,Inspire New Donors,And Thank Existing Donors For Their Life-Saving Generosity.
Are you a regular blood donor? What motivates you to give blood?
What steps can your community take to boost voluntary blood donations?
The Enduring Need for Blood Donation
The Need For Blood Is Constant. Accidents,Surgeries,Childbirth,And Various Medical Conditions Require Blood Transfusions. Maintaining A Stable Blood Supply Through Voluntary Donations Is crucial For Healthcare Systems Worldwide.blood Donation Is A Safe And Simple Process That Can Save Multiple Lives With Each Donation.
Benefits Of Being A Regular Blood Donor
Regular Blood Donors Not Only Help Save The Lives Of Others But Also Experience Personal Health Benefits. Each Time You Donate Blood,You Receive A Mini-Physical,Which Includes Checking Your Blood Pressure,Pulse,And Hemoglobin Levels. This Can Help Detect Potential Health Issues Early On. Additionally, Donating Blood Can Help Reduce Iron Levels In The Body, Which Is Beneficial For Some Individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blood Donation
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Disclaimer: This article provides general data and should not be considered medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional for personalized guidance.
