15 September 2023
For 16 years, even the most essential of medical services in Gaza have been depleted by Israel’s illegal closure and blockade and repeated military assaults. This includes Gaza’s 12 blood banks, which grapple with constant shortages and financial constraints.
The gravity of this situation became starkly evident in May 2021, amid Israel’s largest military assault in seven years. Blood banks began to run out of blood testing kits, without which they were struggling to deliver safe blood to casualties. This crisis not only affected those injured in the bombardment, but also endangered the lives of individuals who require regular blood transfusions, such as people with thalassemia.
“During times of crisis, the demand for blood surges. Whether it’s the aftermath of one of Israel’s military attacks or mass casualty incidents, having a well-stocked blood bank is essential to saving lives,” explains Ali Abuibaid, Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP)’s Programme Officer in Gaza. “Without an adequate supply of blood, medical teams are often forced to make difficult decisions about who receives critical transfusions. This is why community blood donation plays a pivotal role.”
In response to these pressing gaps, MAP has been working to ensure that Gaza has a robust and resilient blood bank system since 2008. We started our partnership with the Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS) in 2022 to provide blood units and to empower the community to participate in life-saving donation drives.
Each year, Gaza needs on average between 35,000 to 40,000 units of blood. During emergencies, this number can surge by 20%, meaning available stocks can be rapidly depleted. The strain on the system was felt acutely during the 2018-19 ‘Great March of Return’, when thousands of protesters suffered live ammunition injuries, causing a 30% increase in blood unit demand that the system struggled to meet.
With MAP’s support, PMRS organises regular blood donation drives in collaboration with local health authorities. These drives are conducted at community centers, schools, universities, religious institutions, and workplaces to make it convenient for people to donate and ensure that various blood types are covered. This diversity is essential for meeting the unique needs of different patients, especially during emergencies when specific blood types may be in high demand.
PMRS Coordinator Ismail Abu Jazar underscored the significance of these drives: “Gaza has often relied on external aid to meet its healthcare needs, including blood supply. Building a robust community blood donation culture can help reduce this dependence, providing a measure of self-sufficiency. This, in turn, can bolster Gaza’s resilience and ability to respond swiftly to emergencies.”
MAP’s funding for blood drives by PMRS provides more than 10% of Gaza’s annual blood donation requirements, ensuring that sufficient stocks are maintained throughout the year. In 2022 alone, 140 MAP-supported blood donation drives were conducted covering all areas of Gaza, yielding a total of 5,540 blood units.
“During times of crisis, the demand for blood surges. Whether it’s the aftermath of one of Israel’s military attacks or mass casualty incidents, having a well-stocked blood bank is essential to saving lives.”
Collecting and storing blood requires an array of specialist materials and disposables, including needles, tubing, blood bags, plastic pads, face masks, gloves, plaster rolls, bandages, safety boxes and glass slides. In 2022, MAP procured $100,000 USD of equipment to support Gaza’s blood drives, including both disposables and testing kits to determine blood type and ensure that donated blood is free from diseases such as hepatitis and HIV before it is distributed to hospitals and clinics.
The success of a blood donation drive also depends entirely on the active and consistent participation of community members. This is why MAP also supports the PMRS’ health education and community advocacy efforts, aiming to raise awareness of the value of blood donation to society. This campaign has involved the installation of 15 billboards, distribution of 12,000 brochures, posters, and flyers, as well as the broadcasting of two radio programmes and three shorter radio spots to reach the widest possible audience.
Even children have been engaged as champions of blood donation in their communities through a 10-day summer school. Here, 100 primary school-aged children participated in arts, crafts, sports, science sessions and even dance lessons while learning about blood donation, hygiene and other essential health topics.
“Even though these children are too young to donate blood themselves, it is vital to involve them from a young age in understanding the importance of blood donation to saving lives and encouraging a culture of giving,” explained Tarneem Hammad, MAP’s Advocacy and Communications Officer in Gaza.
Building the capacity of Gaza's blood bank system through community donation is not just an aspiration; it is a critical necessity. In a place marked by frequent emergencies, this initiative can mean the difference between life and death for countless individuals.
By empowering the local community to take an active role in blood donation, MAP is helping Gaza to fortify its healthcare infrastructure, reduce its dependence on external aid, and ensure timely access to blood when it is needed most. The journey toward self-reliance and community support begins with education, awareness, and a resolute commitment to saving lives.
Please consider donating to MAP to support blood bank services and other emergency and complex hospital care work in Gaza.
Photo: A blood donation drive organised by MAP’s partner the Palestinian Medical Relief Society.
