Topic: Blood Supply Safety
Country: Germany
Delegate Name: Ashley Smith
School: Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Germany position papers GLIMUN 2010 committees
The Federal Republic of Germany recognizes the need for an adequate, accessible and safe blood supply. In several countries throughout the world, pregnant women, children, the poor, and trauma victims, in particular, are dying from inadequate blood supplies and blood products. In addition, others have been infected with HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis during blood transfusions.
Since the Germany HIV/AIDS scandal in the 1980s, the Federal Health Office in Germany has taken the necessary precautions to make sure that donor blood is now safe to use in transfusions for the needed patients and the donors are screened for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis prior to blood-use. Since the German Transfusion Law in 1999, the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut has been collecting data annually to determine the “degree of self-sufficiency” and "consumption rate" of the German blood supply. Since 2000, the consumption figures of blood have been well below the manufacture figures indicating the sufficient supply of blood for the population.
Germany encourages nations to have their own established and regimented blood supply that can provide safe and ample blood in the necessary time for patients when required. In addition, Germany recommends the testing of all donated blood for compatibility, blood groups, as well as transfusion-transmissible infections. Furthermore, Germany implores the appropriate clinical use of blood and safe transfusion practices. Germany advises countries to collect blood from unpaid, volunteers as well as the production of blood components to help maximize the use of the donated blood.
Thoughtfully submitted,
Germany
