Developing a National Policy and Guidelines on the Clinical Use of Blood

Overview

The World Health Organization Blood Transfusion Safety programme (WHO/BTS) was established to develop strategies for blood safety and promote them on a global, regional and national basis through advocacy and the provision of technical support to WHO Member States.

WHO/BTS has developed guidelines and recommendations based on World Health Assembly Resolution 28.72 of 1975, which urges Member States to develop national blood transfusion services based on voluntary non-remunerated blood donation. It also provides technical cooperation and assistance to Member States in the development of national blood programmes.

WHO has developed these Recommendations to assist Member States in developing, implementing and monitoring national policies and guidelines on the clinical use of blood and ensuring active collaboration between the blood transfusion service and clinicians throughout the management of patients who may require transfusion.The Recommendations were drafted by an international expert group of blood transfusion and clinical specialists and were field-tested in a Workshop to Develop a National Policy and Guidelines on the Clinical Use of Blood in Honduras in March 1998.