Safe Blood Starts with Me - libdoc.who.int - World Health Organization

An altruistic IssueIt is not only in donating bloodthat we must think of others.Japan realizes that helping othersinvolves training, blood safetypractices and technology transfer.Moreover, internationalstandardization needs to take thedeveloping world’s epidemiologicaland socio-economical situationinto account if it is to fulfil realinternational harmonization.The Japanese challengeAs stated above, self-sufficiencymay have been achieved for bloodtransfusion, but remains an unmettarget for plasma-derivedproducts emanating fromvoluntary, non-remunerateddonors. To achieve this safetylevel, increased efforts will be putto recruiting and retaining suchdonors at the individual, socialand governmental level. Thismulti-tiered approach is based onthe premise that, although safeblood starts with me, it cannot bethe sole responsibility of theindividual to assure the success ofa safe blood system. Together,however, we can succeed.In conclusion, Japan has identifiedfour clear areas of focus over thenext five years:— clarify the roles andaccountability of centralgovernment, local authoritiesand the Japanese Red Cross— elucidate the policy of selfsufficiency of blood productsfor the general public— set up a concrete strategy toensure blood safety andDr Nishioka reads message fromWHO Director-Generalimplement national bloodlegislation— take administrative measuresfor compensation forunavoidable accidents in bloodtransfusion.As Dr Brundtland states in hermessage, this is but the beginning,and Japan stands ready tocollaborate in the WHO five-yearplan to reinforce global bloodsafety. ▲For more information on bloodsafety activities in Japan, contact:The DirectorCentral Blood CentreJapanese Red Cross Society1-31 Hiroo, 4-Chome, Shibuya-kuTokyo 150 0012Tel: +813 343 81311Fax: +813 3343 58509E-mail: rcjpn@ppp.bekkoame.or.jpInternet: www.jrc.or.jp/english109 ▲ WORLD HEALTH DAY ▼ SAFE BLOOD STARTS WITH ME