Abstract
In 2001, the WHO Office for Africa adopted a strategy for blood safety defining four targets. This paper describes the progress made by Mauritius in the implementation of this strategy. The blood safety indicators were collected and compared with the norms recommended by WHO. The country has formulated its blood policy and developed a strategic plan for its implementation since 2004. The total number of blood donations increased from 31,228 in 2002 to 43,742 in 2016, giving an annual blood collection rate evolving from 26.3 per 1000 inhabitants in 2002 to 34.2 per 1000 inhabitants in 2016. The percentage of voluntary donations rose from 60% to 82.5%. Since 2002, all the blood units collected have been tested for the mandatory infectious markers. The Blood Transfusion Service has been certified ISO2008-9001 and nucleic acid testing has been introduced. The preparation of blood components increased from 60% to 98.2%. The most transfused blood components were red cell concentrates, platelet concentrates, and fresh frozen plasma. In addition to transfusion activities, there were other departments performing antenatal serology, tissue typing, special investigations, and reagent preparation. Despite the progress made, some challenges remain, namely, legal framework and haemovigilance system. A regulatory system for blood needs to be established.
Highlights
IntroductionIn May 1975, the World Health Assembly adopted resolution WHA28.72, urging Member States to promote the development of coordinated national blood transfusion services based on voluntary and nonremunerated blood donations (VNRBD), enact effective legislation governing the operation of these services, and take other necessary actions to protect and promote the health of blood donors and recipients of blood and blood products [1]
Blood safety is a WHO global and regional priority
In May 1975, the World Health Assembly adopted resolution WHA28.72, urging Member States to promote the development of coordinated national blood transfusion services based on voluntary and nonremunerated blood donations (VNRBD), enact effective legislation governing the operation of these services, and take other necessary actions to protect and promote the health of blood donors and recipients of blood and blood products [1]
Summary
In May 1975, the World Health Assembly adopted resolution WHA28.72, urging Member States to promote the development of coordinated national blood transfusion services based on voluntary and nonremunerated blood donations (VNRBD), enact effective legislation governing the operation of these services, and take other necessary actions to protect and promote the health of blood donors and recipients of blood and blood products [1] Pursuant to this resolution, the Regional Committee for Africa, in resolution AFR/RC44/R12 of 1994, urged Member States in the African Region to take urgent steps towards formulating blood safety policies, mobilizing resources for blood service infrastructure development in central and district hospitals, and setting goals and targets to achieve HIV-free blood transfusion in health care settings [2]. The supply of blood in the country is crucial for certain medical cases like surgeries, cancer, anaemia treatments, renal dialysis, transfusions, and accident victims [5]
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