New Delhi, June 13: Saima Wazed, the Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia, emphasized the vital role of blood transfusion in healthcare and emergency situations on Friday, as the World Blood Donor Day approaches.

Celebrated every year on June 14, this year's theme is 'Give blood, give hope: together we save lives.'

This day pays tribute to the unsung heroes among us—voluntary, unpaid blood donors—whose generous act of donating blood saves numerous lives daily.

Wazed highlighted the necessity of a robust and continuous supply of safe blood and blood products to strengthen national health systems.

However, many individuals, particularly in low- and middle-income nations, lack access to safe and timely transfusion services.

She stated, 'Blood transfusion is fundamental to effective healthcare and emergency response. Whether it’s mothers facing complications during childbirth, children with severe anemia, or patients undergoing surgery or living with chronic blood disorders like thalassemia, hemophilia, and sickle-cell disease—blood is life-saving.'

In emergencies, such as natural disasters or conflicts, having timely access to safe blood can mean the difference between life and death.

Wazed pointed out that establishing strong national systems and a reliable base of voluntary, unpaid donors who regularly donate blood is crucial for achieving universal access to safe blood.

Additionally, she noted that all countries in the WHO South-East Asia region have formulated national blood policies that align with the global health organization's guidelines on blood safety.

These policies promote nationally coordinated blood transfusion services based on 100% voluntary non-remunerated blood donations (VNRD) and compliance with recognized blood standards.

'Currently, nearly half of our Member States have reached close to 100% VNRD coverage, significantly contributing to the blood supply needed for national health systems. Approximately 82% of all donated blood in our region comes from voluntary, unpaid donors, showcasing strong community involvement and donor motivation,' Wazed remarked.

Furthermore, she confirmed that all blood collected in the South-East region undergoes screening for transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) and is tested for essential serological parameters.

Wazed urged all governments and health authorities to renew their commitment to national blood transfusion programs.

'On World Blood Donor Day 2025, let us remember that every blood donation is not merely a medical procedure—it is an act of compassion, commitment, and hope. It serves as a lifeline to someone, somewhere, who may never meet their donor but whose life has been profoundly impacted,' she concluded.