WHO Global consultation: 100% Voluntary non-remunerated blood donation of blood and blood components

Overview

This report is the outcome of a ‘Global Consultation on 100% Voluntary Non-Remunerated Donation of Blood and Blood Components’, which was held on 9-11 June 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. Its objective was to review the current barriers to achieving a safe global blood supply based on 100% voluntary non-remunerated blood donation (VNRBD)
and then to identify strategies and systems that will assist in meeting the goal. The Consultation also resulted in the development of a ‘Melbourne Declaration’ which will become a useful advocacy tool for WHO and other stakeholders to build government commitment to the principle of a safe and sufficient blood supply based on 100% VNRBD.

A set of key themes with associated issues and requirements to overcome these were identified. These will assist the WHO-HQ Blood Transfusion Safety Team in setting its strategic plans for the next three to five years. The consultation also resulted in the development of a ‘Melbourne Declaration’ and identification of priority actions and recommendations to different stakeholders for achieving 100% VNRBD. The ‘Melbourne Declaration’ is an advocacy document that affirms the unanimous support of participants for provision of a sufficient supply of safe blood obtained from 100% VNRBD and calls for action from governments to support its achievement by 2020. The Declaration also urges stakeholders to work collaboratively to support governments in achieving the goal.