Funding blood safety in the 21st century.

Background: Since 2000, there has been an historic increase in international development assistance, including blood safety projects. The result has been increased blood donations and infectious disease screening in many beneficiary countries. A comprehensive examination of international development assistance for blood safety has yet to be completed.

Promoting national blood systems in developing countries.

Purpose Of Review: Over the last decade, there has been increased global attention dedicated to improving the availability, safety and use of blood in low-income and middle-income countries. These efforts have focused on a number of common objectives, such as establishing a 100% voluntary nonremunerated blood donor base and implementing component therapy. Recently, some of these objectives have been challenged.