WHO Highlights Progress and Gaps in Global Blood Donation Safety
WHO Highlights Progress and Gaps in Global Blood Donation Safety
Updated at: June 13, 2026 at 07:30 AM
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published its Global status report on blood safety and availability 2025.
Covering 168 countries, the report reveals both a decade of progress and lingering challenges.
Since 2013, global blood collection has increased by nearly 19%, with over 85% of annual donations now coming from voluntary, unpaid donors.
This shift is vital, as voluntary donations represent the safest and most reliable source for life-saving medical care.
However, the report highlights deep inequalities.
Access to blood remains uneven; high-income nations collect a disproportionate share of global donations compared to low-income countries.
Safe blood is critical for surgeries, childbirth, and chronic conditions like cancer or sickle-cell disease.
The WHO emphasizes that no patient should die due to a lack of safe blood.
The report acts as a call to action, urging governments to strengthen national infrastructure and prioritize sustainable funding to ensure equitable access to blood services for everyone, everywhere.
