Thread by @WHO

WHO steps up action to improve access to safe blood ➡ bit.ly/2T1bNAX

@WHOWPRO @WHOSEARO @WHOAFRO @WHOEMRO @WHO_Europe @pahowho WHO’s new action plan to speed up universal access to safe blood & blood products pulls together existing recommendations & recommends new improved ways of working.
It’s the start of a 4-year collaborative effort to improve 🩸 transfusion & blood-based therapies in all countries.

@WHOWPRO @WHOSEARO @WHOAFRO @WHOEMRO @WHO_Europe @pahowho Blood transfusion and blood products are critical for:
☑️ birth delivery for both the mother and baby
☑️ the survival and quality of life of patients suffering from many life-threatening conditions
☑️ treating severe injuries and carrying out medical and surgical procedures

@WHOWPRO @WHOSEARO @WHOAFRO @WHOEMRO @WHO_Europe @pahowho Progress in blood safety and availability has been slow in many parts of the 🌎🌍🌏, placing patients’ safety at risk and putting undue pressure on health workers.
bit.ly/2T1bNAX

@WHOWPRO @WHOSEARO @WHOAFRO @WHOEMRO @WHO_Europe @pahowho WHO looks forward to working with partners 🌏🌍🌎 to improve blood supply particularly in the low and middle-income countries where this is so urgently needed, and save lives.
bit.ly/2T1bNAX

@WHOWPRO @WHOSEARO @WHOAFRO @WHOEMRO @WHO_Europe @pahowho Blood transfusion saves lives and improves health, but many patients requiring transfusion do not have timely access to safe blood.
Providing safe & adequate 🩸 should be an integral part of every country’s national health care policy & infrastructure.
bit.ly/2I0rX7l

@WHOWPRO @WHOSEARO @WHOAFRO @WHOEMRO @WHO_Europe @pahowho An adequate and reliable supply of safe blood can be assured by a stable base of regular, voluntary, unpaid 🩸 donors.
This is the safest group of donors as the prevalence of bloodborne infections is lowest among this group.