People with thalassaemia and other patients are looking to the National Blood Strategy to resolve long-standing weaknesses in meeting blood needs, particularly during periods of low donor turnout.
The strategy was submitted to the Health Ministry in June and is currently under review, with hopes that it will improve the Blood Centre’s operation by 2027.
Long-standing Blood Centre problems
Speaking to CNA, Pancyprian Thalassaemia Association President Miltos Miltiadou said persistent problems in the Blood Centre’s operation were linked to staffing shortages and shortcomings in its communications strategy.
He said these weaknesses had sometimes made it difficult to meet patients’ blood needs and had previously resulted in postponed transfusions for chronic patients.
Despite tight blood reserves this August, no problems have arisen so far. Miltiadou noted, however, that the weeks following the August 15 public holiday are the most difficult.
National strategy under review
Miltiadou said work on the National Blood Strategy moved forward following interventions by patient associations.
He expressed hope that the Blood Centre’s operation would improve by 2027 on the basis of the strategy, which remains under consideration by the Health Ministry.
Source: CNA
