In blood donation an efficient national blood programme is an
essential component of an effective health system. The critical
requirement is access to safe and clinically effective blood and
blood products for all patients requiring transfusion and their
safe and appropriate use. Blood safety depends on the
recruitment and retention of blood donors who are at low risk of
transmitting infection, safe blood collection procedures,
correct testing for transfusion-transmissible infections, blood
grouping and compatibility testing and the appropriate use and
safe administration of blood. Apart from HIV infection, other
diseases can also be transmitted through transfusions of blood
or blood products. These include two other viral infections
hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV); syphilis; malaria,
which is endemic in many tropical areas. While 80% of the
world’s population lives in developing countries, people in
developing countries are supported by only 20% of the worlds
blood supply. In developing countries, mo