National Guidelines on Blood donor and testing and counseling services

Abstract

The Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) has been the pioneer organization in developing blood banking services in the country. The first blood transfusion center was established in 1969. The service has been organized as a department under the leadership of the National Red Cross Society with one central and 9 regional blood banks and can only meet part of the country’s blood demand. To secure safe blood service the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) take over the service from Ethiopian Red Cross Society since 2012 and integrated with the health service under the FMoH and RHBs besides developed a strategic document as to how enhance the service.