A Review on Safeguarding Donors' Health and Well-being: The Need for Personalized Recovery Times

Abstract

Background: The global demand for blood donation and transfusion continues to rise, making recruiting new donors and retaining existing ones essential. However, donor eligibility is linked to the health status of individuals. The increasing prevalence of multi-drug resistant and non-communicable diseases, along with emerging health threats, presents significant challenges to donor health and the stability of transfusion practices, particularly in low-resource health set-tings. Objective: This review examines strategies aimed at safeguarding the health and well-being of blood donors, focusing on existing practices and their effectiveness in different countries or continents. Discussion: While substantial advancements have been made in developed countries such as Europe and America, low-income and resource health settings, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, face greater challenges. Frequent blood donors often experience low haemoglobin levels, iron depletion, and immune system effects, including lymphopenia and immunoglobulin depletion in frequent plateletpheresis donors, which can result in long-term health risks. Strategies that have been implemented and given positive outcomes, like post-donation testing, personalized inter-donation scheduling, iron supplementation, and continuous health monitoring, need to be considered in low-income or resource health settings. Additionally, donors' health perceptions significantly influence their willingness to donate, underscoring the need for comprehensive education and stronger health protection policies. Personalized recovery times, taking into account individual health status and donation frequency, are essential for preventing long-term health complications. Conclusion: Ensuring the health and well-being of blood donors is vital for maintaining a stable global blood supply. Personalized care and recovery strategies, with a focus on the needs of each donor, are key to protecting donor health. It is a global responsibility to prioritize donor health, especially in vulnerable low-income regions, to meet the increasing demand for blood products worldwide.