Progress toward strengthening blood transfusion services--14 countries, 2003-2007

Nearly all persons transfused with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected blood become infected, and blood transfusions are a substantial source of HIV transmission in sub-Saharan Africa, especially among women and children. Since 2004, the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has provided technical and financial support to strengthen national blood transfusion services in 14 countries in Africa and the Caribbean with high prevalence of HIV infection. PEPFAR has supported efforts to improve blood supply adequacy and safety by providing policy guidance, strengthening laboratory infrastructure, and enhancing blood donor recruitment and retention practices. To assess the progress made by these countries with PEPFAR support, CDC analyzed data collected by national blood transfusion services in the 14 countries during 2003-2007. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which found that 1) national policies had been established in 12 of the 14 countries; 2) the number of whole blood units collected had increased in all 14 countries; 3) the percentage of collections from voluntary, non-remunerated donors had increased; and 4) the percentage of collected blood units reactive for HIV had decreased in 13 of the 14 countries. Since the start of the PEPFAR initiative, progress toward improving safe and adequate supplies of blood has been made in the 14 countries with high prevalence of HIV infection.