Iran National Blood Transfusion Policy; Goals, Objectives and Milestones for 2011-2015

Transfusion of blood and its components/derivatives is a life saving medical intervention. However, this life saving procedure depends mainly on the availability of sufficient blood and its components in national health sector. Therefore the overall safety of transfusion medicines including the safety of blood and its available components and the appropriate use of these components would directly influence the health care services. To reach to an optimal blood safety, strategies should be defined and implemented in a timely manner. These strategies should include all steps of “vein to vein” chain from blood donor recruitment to appropriate use of blood and blood components. In order to reach such goals Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization has defined essential strategies for developing a suitable blood transfusion system in Iran which are briefly described.