In response to calls for action, WHO has provided guidelines, physical standards, training and technical support to improve blood product quality, safety and availability in WHO regions and in countries. Despite these actions, progress in blood availability and safety under effective regulation has been slow in many parts of the world.
For that reason, the WHO Action Framework for blood, proposes a renewed effort to scale up programme implementation to improve global adequacy of blood donation, and universal access to quality and safe blood and blood components for transfusion, and plasma derived medicinal products.
The Action Framework for blood provides strategic direction to WHO’s work for the years 2019-2023. It aims to effectively address the challenges identified in access to quality and safe blood and blood components for transfusion and plasma derived medicinal products. The Action Framework for blood identifies six strategic objectives: adequate leadership and governance of the national blood system is provided; functioning blood services ensure efficient safe and quality blood and blood components for transfusion and plasma derived medicinal products; appropriate clinical use of blood is ensured to improve patient outcomes and patient safety; blood regulatory bodies and control laboratories are available and have the capacity to regulate and assess blood products and associated medical devices, including in-vitro diagnostic devices for blood screening; a functional surveillance system is in place to monitor and assess the blood system, including adverse reactions in blood donors and patients; and achievement of key priorities through effective collaboration and information exchange.
The Action Framework for blood will improve coordination and collaboration at all levels of the WHO Organization. The document will promote and strengthen new and existing partnerships, as areas for collaborative action are clearly identified. Moreover, it will demonstrate the need for support to WHO (including sustainable funding). As a result, the Action Framework for blood will allow WHO to more effectively carry out its mandate on blood, and to increase the impact of WHO activities to strengthen blood systems and blood regulation in countries and regions.