Supply of Blood for Transfusion in Latin America and Caribbean Countries 2016-2017

Abstract

Blood transfusions are necessary to improve or save the lives of children with severe anemia, mothers in obstetric emergencies, patients with hemoglobinopathies, cancer patients, transplant patients, patients with chronic age-related diseases, such as bleeding caused by vascular problems and orthopedic surgeries, people injured in accidents, among other causes. Supply and access to safe blood for transfusions are closely related to the organization and degree of development of blood services, with the governance and participation of society through voluntary unpaid donation. Since 2004, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has been collecting and publishing indicators related to blood supply in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. In 2014, the countries of the Region of the Americas reaffirmed their commitment to universal health through the approval of the Action Plan for Universal Access to Safe Blood 2014-2019, approved by the 53rd Directing Council held in October 2014 (CD53.6), this plan promotes universal access to safe blood for transfusion in the region, through unpaid voluntary donations, the organization of blood services, the implementation of quality and safety standards and the implementation of governance actions. The data presented here allows monitoring and reporting on progress and limitations in the implementation of the Action Plan for Universal Access to Safe Blood. Furthermore, it is hoped that these data will promote the analysis and evaluation of the indicators at the national and subregional levels, and that strategies that improve blood safety and accessibility to transfusions will be strengthened or modified. The information was provided by the authorities of the countries and corresponds to the years 2016 and 2017.