Trends and Gaps in National Blood Transfusion Services - 14 Sub-Saharan African Countries, 2014–2016

Since 2004, the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief has improved blood availability and safety in 14 sub-Saharan African countries; however, the risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission via transfusion remains unacceptably high. During 2014-2016, blood collections increased and donor HIV prevalence decreased in seven of the 14 countries, but systems to link HIV-positive and donors at high risk to testing and treatment are inadequate. Sustained investments by ministries of health in continuous quality improvement, national blood transfusion services accreditation, linkage of HIV-positive and donors at risk to testing, care, and treatment, and blood safety information systems remain important components to ensure the viability of blood safety programs.