WHO says blood donation key to stronger COVID-19 response
(VOVWORLD) -Countries must invest in robust infrastructure and public awareness campaigns to boost donations of safe blood and strengthen the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a senior World Health Organization official said on Sunday, World Blood Donor Day.
Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said that governments promote the donation of safe blood to counteract shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Moeti said that blood donation drives are being postponed, and stay-at-home orders and fear of infection are preventing donors from giving blood.
According to Moeti, disruptions of the global supply chain have caused shortages of the equipment needed for blood collection and transfusion.
She hailed efforts by African countries to ramp up blood donations to provide the plasma needed to treat COVID-19.