Commentary on International Policies and Practices Health Sciences and the Development of Transfusion MedicineAn International Perspective

The global blood supply is heavily skewed to developed countries, where around 16% of the global population lives. Over 40% of all blood collections occur in Very High or High Human Development Index (VH/H-HDI) countries [1]. Blood donation rates in many Low and Medium Human Development Index (L/M-HDI) countries with around 84% of the global population, represent <1% of the national population [2]. Yet demand for blood in L/M-HDI countries is high largely due to maternal hemorrhage; other causes of anemia, e.g., malaria in under 5-years old children; HIV/ AIDS; trauma and traffic accidents, armed conflict, civil war and insurgence [2,3]. This is particularly true in countries where National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS) face a range of barriers and challenges to collect, maintain and deliver a safe and adequate blood supply [4,5]