Building a blood system: the view from Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Despite the significant advances in the transfusion medicine field, maintaining an adequate and safe blood supply remains challenging for some areas of the world. Data from the World Health Organization reveal that many developing countries continue to have low rates of blood collections per capita, and many suffer from chronic shortage of blood and components. An effective way to improve access to affordable and quality assured blood and blood products, and their appropriate use is through the establishment of an effective, sustainable and appropriately regulated blood system. At the current time, Saudi Arabia continues to operate in an institution‐based model, with a blood collection and processing centre affiliated with almost all individual hospitals. Given the high number of sectors that hospitals belong to, challenges are faced in communication and collaboration among blood centres despite the possibility of being in geographic proximity. Building a national blood system is expected to result in positive outcomes in many aspects, including donor motivation strategies and planning, standardization of policies and processes, and effective utilization of resources and supplies. A hybrid model where motivation efforts, management of financial resources, creation of policies and standards are shared nationally, while blood collection and processing, testing and storage are performed in multiple sites may be the most suitable approach for the country. Steps are being taken towards achieving this goal in the Kingdom.