Keys to move to self‐sufficiency in safe blood components based on voluntary blood donation

Abstract

One of the oldest resolutions of WHO urges member states to promote the blood services based on voluntary non‐remunerated blood donation (VNRBD). Consequently, achieving self‐sufficiency in six driver products has been focused on by the WHO and other international agencies in 2010. However, both VNRBD and self‐sufficiency are not a reality in many countries. In this article, proposed ways to achieve self‐sufficiency in blood products and plasma‐derived medicines are discussed. The main proposed ways included are as follows: (i) Donor management: attention to public awareness, donors’ expectations, selection criteria and donor care are so important to maintain a sustainable base for voluntary blood donors. (ii) Wastage blood management: a focused programme can reduce evitable blood product wastage. (iii) Patient blood management plays an important role in avoiding unnecessary exposure to blood and components. In Iran, more than 2 100 000 units of whole blood are being collected annually, all of them from voluntary blood donors. These units are processed to RBC, Plt and FFP that cover all the needs of hospitals generally. Based on formal agreements between Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO) and the fractionators, redundant FFP is sent to be processed, which covers most albumin and IVIG demand. IBTO has achieved 100% of VNRBD all over the country since 2007 as well as a good start in self‐sufficiency in PDM by improving donor management, wastage management and patient blood management as well as developing quality systems in the blood transfusion establishment. The experience of Iran has shown that self‐sufficiency in PDM based on VNRBD is an achievable goal that needs a multidisciplinary programme and effort.

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