Challenges and strategies for blood donation and self-sufficiency under regional perspectives of Spain and Brazil

Abstract Background Blood, its components and derivatives are essential for the functioning of hematological and transfusion care in modern health systems. Objective To identify some of the difficulties, challenges, and strategies experienced in public blood banks currently, based on regional perspectives in Spain and Brazil. Method Interviews with eleven managers/professionals from blood banks of the Autonomous Communities of Madrid, Extremadura and Catalonia (Spain) and the State of Bahia (Brazil) were conducted. Results Two groups of difficulties were identified: availability of structure and resources; and recruitment and loyalty of donors. Challenges: to recruit and retain new donors, especially young people; to maintain sufficient stock of rare blood types and have blood products available; to deal with emerging pathologies arising from migration and globalization; to ensure the rational use of blood; to manage services with limited autonomy over financial resources; to deal with different stakeholders. The following strategic lines stood out: the use of several resources to raise awareness and loyalty of donors; the concentration of technology and procedures in coordinating centers; the implantation of public plasmapheresis programs and the utilization of different means to establish relations with different actors. Conclusion Respecting the regional peculiarities, the results can be used for the reflection and implementation of various actions aimed at blood donation and self-sufficiency in other regions of the world.