Dealing With the Unexpected in Europe: The Challenge to Ensure Sufficient Quantity of Safe Blood During the War and Siege of Sarajevo 1992-1995

Abstract

A key principle that guides the work of every blood facility is that blood must wait for patients, not patients wait for blood. This principle was severely put to the test during the war and siege of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the onset of war, the Blood Transfusion Institute in Sarajevo formulated a second principle. That its staff must take the risk of being injured not blood donors. As a result of our experience some recommendations are given for war/siege blood policy.

Post conflict 3 medium term strategies were developed. They focus on the motivation of blood donors, safe blood and the management of blood Services. The strategies will contribute to achieving a long-term perspective or vision that models blood Services in Bosnia and Herzegovina on European laws, regulations, standards, best practices, and education and training.