Only Six Donations Per 1,000 People, Says Regional Director
The World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded the alarm over worsening blood shortages across Africa, warning that millions of lives remain at risk as demand for safe blood continues to outstrip supply.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Professor Mohamed Yakub Janabi, made the disclosure in his message to commemorate the 2026 World Blood Donor Day, calling on governments, communities and eligible citizens to embrace voluntary blood donation to save lives.
Speaking on this year’s theme, “One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives,” Janabi said blood remains a lifeline for thousands of patients across the continent, including women facing childbirth complications, children battling severe malaria and anaemia, accident victims and people living with chronic illnesses.
According to him, despite remarkable progress in blood collection over the years, Africa is still grappling with critical shortages.
“The need continues to outpace supply. On average, only about six donations are collected per 1,000 people in the African Region, far below what is required to meet basic health needs,” he said.
The WHO chief revealed that blood donations in the region have risen from about 2.2 million in the early 2000s to nearly seven million in 2023, while almost 70 per cent now come from voluntary, unpaid donors.
He described the development as encouraging but warned that huge gaps still exist between countries, leaving many health facilities struggling to access adequate blood supplies during emergencies.
Janabi noted that every day, thousands of Africans depend on blood transfusions to survive.
Safe blood is not optional; it is essential to survival,” he stressed.
The WHO Regional Director also raised concerns over blood safety, noting that although most countries screen donated blood for infections such as HIV, hepatitis and syphilis, gaps still exist in some health systems.
He warned that the continued presence of infections such as hepatitis B and HIV among some donors highlights the urgent need for stronger screening and quality assurance measures.
Janabi further identified poor infrastructure, inadequate funding, shortage of regular voluntary donors and widespread misinformation as major obstacles to achieving adequate blood supplies across the continent.
He lamented that some countries still rely heavily on family replacement and paid donors, a practice experts say could affect both the safety and availability of blood.
Paying tribute to voluntary blood donors, he described them as heroes whose selfless acts continue to save lives and offer hope to vulnerable patients.
“Every blood donation reflects the essence of our common humanity, solidarity, compassion and care for one another,” he said.
He urged governments to invest more in national blood programmes and called on communities to encourage a culture of regular blood donation.
“Because when we give blood, we give more than a medical resource; we give hope, dignity and the promise of a healthier future for all,” Janabi added.
“One drop of humanity can save a life, strengthen a community and inspire hope. Together, let us act.”
