Cyprus approves blood donation strategy. Improved supplies and digitalization

Cyprus aims to improve blood supply management, enhance collaboration between facilities, and modernize its IT system. On November 4, the Council of Ministers approved the National Blood Strategy, which aims to increase the safety and availability of blood and its components for patients.

The plan also includes supporting voluntary blood donation and the rational use of donated blood. A special commission will oversee the implementation of these activities, including representatives of the administration, public and private institutions, and patient organizations.

From supplies to transfusion safety

The strategy aims to streamline the organization of blood services in Cyprus. Its goal is to create a modern, digital, and resilient system that operates in accordance with European and international standards.

This includes ensuring adequate supplies, as well as ensuring the quality, safety, and efficient delivery of blood to where it's needed. From the patient's perspective, the most important objective is timely and equitable access to necessary treatment.

Approval of the strategy sets the direction for change. However, it does not mean that all solutions have been implemented.

Five areas of change

The plan covers inventory and demand management, service organization, blood safety oversight, quality and control, and innovation and digitalization.

This means an approach that goes beyond simply increasing donations. Equally important are institutional collaboration, system monitoring, and appropriate use of available resources.

Voluntary blood donation is still the basis

One of the main goals is to strengthen voluntary blood donation. The strategy also envisages the rational use of blood and its timely delivery to patients.

This is also an important topic in the context of the recent appeals for donors, which we reported on on CYPRNews. These appeals highlighted the low supply and the needs of people requiring regular transfusions.

Long-term planning and regular donations are also important between urgent appeals. The approved document aims to create a framework for better management of the entire system, rather than simply reacting to current shortages.

A special commission will evaluate the implementation

Progress will be monitored by a commission that will assess the effectiveness of actions, identify difficulties and assist in resolving them.

It will include representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Blood Center, blood banks, and the state health services organization OKYPY. Representatives from private hospitals, the Cyprus Hematology Society, and federations of patient organizations are also expected to participate.

This broad composition is intended to facilitate cooperation between entities involved in the collection, storage and use of blood and to take into account patient experiences.

Separate decision regarding tests and specialist treatment

At the same meeting, the government approved the appointment of new members to the board of the Muscular Dystrophy Research Foundation. The Foundation is responsible for managing and overseeing the activities of the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics.

Health Minister Neofytos Charalambides emphasized the institute's importance for research and specialized care. This is a separate organizational decision, not directly related to the implementation of the blood strategy.

The effectiveness of the strategy will be determined by the implementation of the announced actions. For patients, its most important effect is the assurance that necessary blood will be available without undue delay, regardless of the location of treatment.