WHO Safe Blood Access Action Plan 2026–2030
Safe blood access depends on more than donor numbers. WHO identifies financing, regulation, quality systems, infrastructure, workforce and reliable delivery as connected requirements.
What WHO reported
WHO reported that voluntary unpaid donors supplied more than 85% of approximately 120 million blood donations reported for 2023. The global total, however, does not describe whether each patient can obtain safe, compatible blood at the place and time it is needed.
Twenty-four countries reported fewer than five donations per 1,000 people. WHO also identified persistent gaps in financing, governance, regulation, infrastructure, workforce, testing, quality assurance and appropriate clinical use.
Why this matters
Trauma, postpartum haemorrhage, severe anaemia, surgery and paediatric emergencies can become time-critical before blood can be collected, tested, matched and transported. Improving donation remains essential, but supply resilience also depends on the full system around every donated unit.