Islamabad: Pakistan is facing an annual shortage of around 2.3 million blood donations, leaving hospitals and blood banks unable to meet the country’s growing demand for lifesaving transfusions needed by accident victims, mothers experiencing childbirth complications, children with severe anemia and thousands of patients suffering from blood disorders.
Health sector estimates show that more than five million blood donations are required every year across the country, but only around 2.7 million donations are currently collected, creating a significant gap in blood availability and raising concerns about access to safe blood for patients in need.
Highlighting the challenge ahead of World Blood Donor Day being observed on June 14, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Pakistan continues to rely heavily on replacement donations from family members and friends rather than regular voluntary donors, a model considered less sustainable for ensuring adequate blood supplies.
According to WHO, only 18 percent of blood donations in Pakistan come from voluntary, unpaid donors, while 82 percent are provided by replacement donors who donate blood for relatives or acquaintances undergoing treatment.
The shortage comes at a time when demand for blood and blood products remains high due to road traffic accidents, major surgeries, pregnancy-related complications, cancers, inherited blood disorders and medical emergencies. Thousands of patients with thalassemia and hemophilia also depend on regular blood transfusions throughout their lives.
WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr Luo Dapeng said voluntary blood donors play a critical role in saving lives and supporting healthcare systems. He noted that no patient should die because safe blood is unavailable and stressed that every blood donation can make a significant difference in emergency and routine medical care.
Medical experts say voluntary blood donation remains one of the weakest components of Pakistan’s blood transfusion system despite repeated awareness campaigns. In many cases, families are forced to arrange blood donors themselves before patients can undergo surgery or receive treatment.
Blood transfusions are considered essential for managing severe bleeding during childbirth, treating childhood anemia, supporting cancer therapies, conducting complex surgical procedures and responding to emergencies and disasters. They are also required for patients suffering from chronic conditions such as thalassemia, hemophilia, sickle cell disease and immune disorders.
WHO noted that advances in medical science mean a single blood donation can help save up to three lives through the use of red blood cells, plasma and platelets for different patients.
The organization has called for greater investment in national blood systems, improved donor recruitment programmes, stronger blood screening mechanisms and wider public participation in voluntary donation campaigns to ensure safe and equitable access to blood across Pakistan.