Prof Patricia Yazbeck delivers a statement to 71st WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Committee meeting on how to improve access and utilisation of blood through effective patient blood management programmes
Agenda item 2(c) Strategic framework for blood safety and availability, 2016–2025
The World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA) welcomes the progress made within the region to improve the availability of this most critical of resources.
But we note with alarm that the report presented to this committee in 2020 highlighted that ‘Inappropriate use of blood, unsafe transfusion practices and a lack of effective patient blood management programmes continue to be major concerns in the Region.’ For this paragraph to be reproduced verbatim in a follow-up report 4 years later shows us progress has stalled and something needs to change to ensure this isn’t again repeated in future reports.
Anaesthesiologists have a unique understanding of the complex interplay between blood use, surgical techniques, and patient health. Their role in reducing unnecessary transfusions, diagnosing and treating anaemia preoperatively, and employing strategies to minimize intraoperative blood loss can significantly reduce the strain on national blood supplies while improving patient outcomes. National anaesthesiology societies provide the technical expertise and leadership needed to design and implement effective Patient Blood Management programmes, aligned with international best practices and as requested by the WHO Policy Brief in 2021
By leveraging the skills of anaesthesiologists, member states can more effectively optimize blood resources, improve clinical outcomes, decrease costs and strengthen overall healthcare systems. The WFSA encourages EMRO member states to collaborate closely with their national anaesthesiology societies to ensure the successful implementation of PBM strategies, contributing to the safety and availability of blood across the region.