There are significant challenges that the blood bank industry in Kenya must overcome in order to be able to maintain a balanced equilibrium between the demand for blood and the supply of blood. This research examines the consequences of limited resources and high rates of discarding blood due to illnesses that can be transmitted through transfusions, and how these factors affect the delicate balance. Insufficient resources, such as a lack of qualified staff, financial restrictions, outdated equipment, and reagent shortages, hinder the proper operation of blood banks.
According to a study by Ellingson et al. (2020), published in the Journal Transfusion, the discard rate of blood donations due to TTIs has been increasing, posing challenges to maintaining a sufficient blood supply. Resource shortages and discard rates due to transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs) significantly impact between blood supply and demand. When blood donations are discarded due to contamination or the risk of TTIs, it directly affects the available blood inventory, potentially leading to shortages. These shortages can occur during emergencies, high-demand periods, or in regions with already limited access to blood products. Increased discard rates further strain the blood supply, as each discarded unit represents a lost opportunity to meet patient needs. Moreover, the fear of TTIs can deter potential donors from participating in blood donation drives, reducing the donor pool and exacerbating the supply-demand imbalance. This reduced availability of blood can jeopardize patient care, especially for those in critical conditions requiring transfusions.
Reference: Ellingson, K. D., Sapiano, M. R., Haass, K. A., Savinkina, A. A., Baker, M. L., Chung, K. W., ... & Basavaraju, S. V. (2020). Continued decline in blood collection and transfusion in the United States–2015. Transfusion, 60(S2), S1-S9. doi:10.1111/trf.16117
Based on Bharucha (2016), the disparity between blood supply and demand is widening due to rising needs for complex surgeries, aggressive cancer treatments, stem cell transplants, and organ surgeries. Demand is outpacing supply as donation rates decline due to stricter donor selection criteria and increased discard rates from infection concerns. Shortages are particularly acute during summer vacations and festivals. To mitigate wastage, blood transfusion services should forecast blood requirements and adjust collection schedules accordingly.
Reference
Bharucha, Z. (2016, January 1). Patient blood management: Need of the hour. Global Journal of Transfusion Medicine. https://doi.org/10.4103/2455-8893.189858
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