Supply of Blood for Transfusion in Latin America and Caribbean Countries 2016-2017

Blood transfusions are necessary to improve or save the lives of children with severe anemia, mothers in obstetric emergencies, patients with hemoglobinopathies, cancer patients, transplant patients, patients with chronic age-related diseases, such as bleeding caused by vascular problems and orthopedic surgeries, people injured in accidents, among other causes. Supply and access to safe blood for transfusions are closely related to the organization and degree of development of blood services, with the governance and participation of society through voluntary unpaid donation. Since 2004, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has been collecting and publishing indicators related to blood supply in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.

The information was provided by the authorities of the countries and corresponds to the years 2016 and 2017.