Cyprus: Blood Shortages and National Strategy

Every summer, Cyprus faces blood shortages, a recurring problem that particularly affects patients with thalassemia. Holidays, travel, and reduced availability of volunteer blood donors exacerbate the situation.

Cyprus has the highest blood collection rate per 1,000 inhabitants in Europe, but increasing demand due to an aging population and new medical treatments creates additional challenges.

The Ministry of Health and the Blood Center are developing a National Blood Strategy to expand the donor pool and modernize blood services. The strategy includes rational inventory management, prevention of unnecessary transfusions, and the use of technology.

Cyprus aims to fully comply with the new European Regulation on blood (SoHO Regulation) by 2027, improving the safety and efficiency of the blood donation system.

Blood donation remains a paramount act of solidarity, and the state has an obligation to ensure the effective utilization of each unit of blood.

According to Dr. Androulla Eleftheriou, the transition to a modern blood donation system is imperative, and Cyprus has the potential to become an international reference point.