Policy on quality provision in blood services

The Federation has a policy on quality provision in blood supply, approved by the General Assembly in 1999. The full text can be found in the policy section.

The policy addresses specific responsibilities within blood programmes, and provides principles and guidelines for the implemenation of quality procedures in blood programmes associated with Red Cross and Red Crescent.

The notion of voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation is fundamental in the push towards global blood safety. In 1991, at the 8th Session of the general Assembly in Budapest, Red Cross Red Crescent Societies agrees on the following definition:

"Voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors are people who give blood, plasma or other blood components of their own free will and receive no payment for it, either in the form of cash, or in kind which could be considered a substitute for money. This includes time-off work, other than reasonably needed for the donation and travel. Small tokens, refreshments and reimbursements of direct travel costs are compatible with voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation."