The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for stronger governance and increased funding for national blood systems.
The organization warned that weak oversight continues to deny millions of patients access to safe blood transfusions, despite record levels of voluntary donations worldwide.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus made the call in a message marking World Blood Donor Day, observed annually on June 14 with the theme, “One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives.”
Ghebreyesus said voluntary, unpaid blood donors now account for more than 85 percent of global blood collections, up from 78 percent a decade ago.
However, he noted that only 40 percent of countries have fully functional national blood systems with adequate governance, quality control, and financing.
“Blood saves lives, but only if it is safe, available, and well-managed. Stronger governance is not optional. It is the difference between life and death for mothers in childbirth, children with anemia, and patients needing surgery,” he said.
He added that the call comes as WHO released new data showing major disparities in blood availability worldwide.
According to the data, high-income countries average 33 blood donations per 1,000 people, compared to just five donations per 1,000 in low-income countries.
Fewer than half of low-income countries have national blood policies backed by legislation, and many still depend on family replacement or paid donors, increasing the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections.
He urged governments to establish independent national blood authorities, enforce quality standards, and provide dedicated funding to prevent disruptions caused by economic challenges.
The WHO chief highlighted that 60 percent of countries spend less than one dollar per capita annually on blood services—far below what’s needed for screening, storage, and distribution.
“Without stable funding, blood banks face shortages of testing kits, refrigeration, and trained staff. The result is avoidable deaths from postpartum hemorrhage, trauma, and childhood malaria,” he said.
Ghebreyesus also noted that only 70 percent of donated blood in low-income countries is screened for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and syphilis, compared to 100 percent in high-income countries, revealing significant gaps in blood safety.
He warned that weak regulatory oversight allows unsafe blood to enter supply chains, undermining public confidence and discouraging voluntary donors.
Ahead of the commemoration, WHO urged countries to adopt its “20 Actions” framework, which includes enacting national blood laws, investing in voluntary donor programs, and integrating blood services into universal health coverage.
“Every country can achieve self-sufficiency in safe blood if leaders treat it as a core health system function. Governance and investment today will save lives tomorrow,” he concluded.
