WHO Urges Increased Blood Donation Across Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO), through its Regional Director for Africa, Professor Moham Janabi, has urged governments, health professionals, and partners to intensify efforts to increase voluntary blood donation across the continent. This call coincides with World Blood Donor Day 2026, which emphasizes the power of blood donation and its role in saving lives.

Professor Janabi noted that thousands of patients in the African region depend on blood transfusions daily, including women facing complications during childbirth and children suffering from severe malaria and anemia. He acknowledged the progress made in blood donation, with numbers increasing from 2.2 million in the early 2000s to nearly seven million in 2023.

However, he expressed concern over significant disparities among countries, where demand for safe blood continues to exceed supply. The WHO recorded an average of six blood donations per 1,000 people in the region, which is insufficient to meet essential health needs.

Professor Janabi called for sustained investment in national blood programs and greater community participation in blood donation.