Pakistan and WHO Urge 5 Million Annual Blood Donations to Save Lives

On World Blood Donor Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Pakistan’s Ministry of Health made an urgent call for voluntary blood donations to address a national shortfall that threatens lives. Pakistan’s medical facilities require over 5 million blood donations each year—expected to rise to 5.6 million by 2030—yet currently collect only about 2.3 million annually. A special blood drive held at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences drew nearly 150 volunteers and featured participation from WHO Representative Dr. Dapeng Luo, who emphasized that voluntary donations can save up to three lives per person and are crucial to a sustainable, safe blood supply. Currently, only 18% of Pakistan’s donations are from voluntary, non-remunerated donors, while the rest come from family and replacement donors. WHO and the Ministry are working to improve public awareness and enhance blood screening and safety protocols. Health officials, including Parliamentary Secretary Dr. Nelson Azeem and Director General Dr. Shabana Saleem, highlighted the noble act of donation and ongoing efforts to revitalize the country’s blood transfusion infrastructure, reaffirming WHO’s technical support in ensuring no patient is left without life-saving blood.