The New York Times

Monday, April 10, 2000

Strategies for Safer Blood

Blood safety is becoming an important factor in combating the global spread of AIDS. The World Health Organization estimates that between 5 and 10 percent of transmissions of H.I.V., the virus that causes AIDS, occur through the transfusion of infected blood or blood products.

A new survey by the agency found that more than two-thirds of the world's nations do not have adequate policies to insure a safe blood supply. Of the 75 million units of blood donated each year throughout the world, nearly 20 percent are not screened for either H.I.V. or other agents that cause hepatitis B and C, syphilis and malaria. The poorest developing nations are the hardest hit by infectious disease, and have been least able to test or monitor blood safety. They are also least able to bear the long-term economic and human costs of AIDS or other diseases spread by unsafe blood.

Recognizing this crisis, the W.H.O. has begun a new campaign to improve blood safety worldwide. Blood screening is essential, but for poorer nations, the costs can be prohibitive. The Clinton administration is seeking a $100 million increase in next year's budget to combat AIDS abroad, with part of that increase to be used for blood testing programs. But testing must be supplemented by good laboratory practices, standards for safe storage and transportation of blood, and reliance on voluntary, unpaid blood donors. In poorer countries, most of the blood supply still comes from paid donors or family donors, who pose a risk because they may conceal behaviors that make them unsuitable as donors.