The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Blood Transfusion Services: A Perspective from Health Professionals and Donors

Elhadi Miskeen,1 Amar Ibrahim Omer Yahia,2 Tarig Babikir Eljack,2 Hatim Khalifa Karar3 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha, 61922, Saudi Arabia; 2Unit of Pathology Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha, 61922, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Abdullah Hospital, Bisha, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Elhadi MiskeenDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, P.O. Box 1290, Bisha, 61922, Saudi ArabiaEmail emiskeen@ub.edu.saPurpose: Since the emergence of the COVI9-19 pandemic, there has been concern about the availability and sufficiency of blood transfusions to meet patient needs. Also, the adequate and safe blood supply is a major issue to fulfill present demands. This study aims to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the blood transfusion service and identify solutions to overcome this impact from the perspective of blood donors and healthcare professionals.Methods: This study was conducted prospectively among Saudi Arabian blood donors and healthcare professionals between May 2020 and May 2021. A group of professional health care professionals and blood donors participated in this study to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on blood transfusion services and identify possible solutions to overcome the adverse effects on blood system activities.Results: To understand the impact of pandemic COVID-19 on blood transfusion services in Saudi Arabia, we investigated population dynamics and statistical analysis from different age groups and health care professionals. A total of 424 blood donors and 372 healthcare professionals participated in this study. The suggested solution by the participants to overcome the blood shortage during pandemics was the organization of mobile blood drives at donors’ homes, work, and educational sites. Statically significant associations were found between blood donation during this pandemic and age (p=0.019) and marital status (p=0.001).Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the main problems of blood transfusion due to the onset of COVID-19. Hence, the data could be a source of improving blood transfusion and blood donation systems by healthcare centers and on an individual basis. Healthcare professionals use this public management system in hospitals to minimize the adverse effects of the pandemic.Keywords: health-care professionals, blood transfusion, blood donation, COVID-1