BLOOD DONATION IN OAXACA CITY (MEXICO) MEDICO-ANTHROPOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sociology of Health
• Health Policy

Background:

• Mexico prohibited paid blood donation in 1987, aligning with WHO/PAHO's promotion of altruistic donation.
• Despite policy shifts, altruistic blood donation remains minoritarian in Mexico.
• Replacement donation, where families find donors, is the predominant system but lacks social science attention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and analyze the dynamics of the replacement blood donation system in Oaxaca, Mexico.
• To highlight the specificities of blood collection and distribution based on family donor networks.
• To examine health inequalities and access to blood as a therapeutic resource within this system.

Main Methods:

• Fieldwork conducted in Oaxaca city since 2013.
• Qualitative analysis of replacement donation dynamics.
• Examination of family empowerment in donor recruitment.

Main Results:

• Replacement donation is the dominant model, driven by families seeking donors.
• The system highlights significant health inequalities and challenges in accessing blood.
• Private blood banks operate ambiguously, using corporate strategies despite the ban on blood sales.

Conclusions:

• The replacement donation system, while empowering families, perpetuates health inequities.
• Private blood banks navigate a complex regulatory environment.
• Further social science research is needed to understand and improve blood donation systems.