Archives of Hellenic Medicine

Last update:

15-Jul-2022

Arch Hellen Med, 39(Supplement 1), 2022, 9-23

Blood and Beyond Greece
Priorities and actions for ensuring availability of blood for transfusion dependent patients

K. Souliotis,^1,2 C. Golna,^2,3 A. Kattamis,⁴ K. Stamoulis,⁵ E. Grouzi,⁶ V. Myrilla,^7,8 G. Peppes,⁹ V. Dimos,¹⁰ P. Stratigopoulou¹¹
¹Department of Social and Education Policy, School of Social and Political Sciences, Corinth, Greece,
²Health Policy Institute, Athens, Greece,
³Innowth Ltd, Larnaca, Cyprus,
⁴Thalassemia Unit, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece,
⁵ Hellenic National Blood Transfusion Centre, Acharnes, Greece,
⁶Transfusion Service and Clinical Haemostasis, "St Savvas" Oncology Hospital, Athens, Greece,
⁷Laboratory Medicine Department of Haematology, "Agia Sofia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece,
⁸Panhellenic Association of Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Disease Patients (PASPAMA), Athens, Greece,
⁹Greek Patients' Association, Athens, Greece,
¹⁰Greek Thalassaemia Association (ESTHA), Thessaloniki, Greece,
¹¹"Laiko" General Hospital, Athens, Greece

Effective patient blood management constitutes a persistent challenge for healthcare systems and public health across Europe. Especially in Greece, a country with a traditionally high prevalence of β-thalassemia and other haemoglobinopathies, it is critical to ensure availability of blood to cover the needs of systematically transfused patients. A recent prospective study highlighted a potential gap in meeting future needs in red blood cell units in Greece for transfusion-dependent patients with β-thalassemia over the next 15 years. The present study, which is part of the pan-European initiative "Blood & Beyond", discusses current challenges and proposes structured activities with measurable outcomes to increase and sustain blood supply and optimize blood demand.

Key words: Blood donation, β-Thalassemia, Patient blood management, Transfusion.