What is Safe Blood Transfusion

The growing problem of transfusion-associated infections has been appreciated globally. Some of the major infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, syphilis and malaria, are transmissible through blood. A reduction in their incidence can be guaranteed by ensuring transfusion of safe blood, which encompasses improved donor selection, screening of blood and reduction of unnecessary transfusions.

The first step towards blood safety is to encourage blood donations that are voluntary, non-remunerated and obtained from low-risk and regular donors. Despite careful donor selection, some donors may be seropositive for HIV or other infectious agents. Rigorous screening of all donated blood is, therefore, required to ensure the supply of safe blood.