Transfusion safety in the Maghreb region

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Transfusion Medicine
• Health Policy

Background:

• The Maghreb region includes Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, and Tunisia.
• Blood transfusion services are critical for healthcare in these nations.
• Previous assessments highlighted varying levels of development in transfusion practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and update the current status of blood transfusion services across the five Maghreb countries.
• To identify progress and persistent challenges in national blood supply systems.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of blood safety activities and regulatory frameworks.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature review and analysis of existing data on transfusion practices in the region.
• Examination of national regulations, blood safety activities, and the role of National Blood Services.
• Comparative analysis of blood safety indicators against regional benchmarks.

Main Results:

• Three Maghreb countries have established comprehensive transfusion regulations.
• National Blood Services are the primary entities for blood safety activities, which are mostly centralized and regular (except in Mauritania and Libya).
• Blood safety indicators in the Maghreb are generally better than in sub-Saharan Africa, but quality management systems require significant improvement.

Conclusions:

• Significant advancements have been made in blood transfusion services within the Maghreb region.
• Despite progress, substantial shortcomings persist across key components of national blood supply systems, especially in quality management.
• Continued efforts are needed to strengthen overall blood transfusion safety and efficiency in Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, and Tunisia.