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Although Cyprus maintains one of the highest blood donation rates relative to its population, demand for blood has increased sharply over the past decade and continues to place pressure on the system.
According to Miltos Miltiades, President of the Cyprus Thalassaemia Association, annual demand for red blood cell units has grown significantly. Around 65,000 units were required in 2015, whereas today the figure exceeds 80,000. This increase, he clarified, is not driven by the needs of thalassaemia patients, whose requirements have remained stable.
One of the main reasons for the rise is the expansion of advanced medical care within Cyprus. Procedures that were once carried out abroad are now performed locally, following the introduction of the General Healthcare System (GeSY) and improvements in medical infrastructure. Many of these complex surgeries require substantial quantities of blood. At the same time, wider access to healthcare has encouraged more people to proceed with necessary operations without delay, further increasing demand.
Population growth is another key factor. The number of GeSY beneficiaries has now surpassed one million, naturally leading to higher overall healthcare needs, including blood transfusions.
Despite these realities, attracting new blood donors has become more challenging. Mr. Miltiades notes that the public is frequently exposed to urgent appeals for blood, which can overwhelm both potential donors and the donation system itself. He also points out that the donor registry is in need of modernization to improve coordination and efficiency.
Looking ahead, Mr. Miltiades argues that the Blood Center should no longer be responsible for public outreach and donor recruitment. Instead, professional communication strategies, particularly through social media, should be used more effectively to engage younger generations. Targeted campaigns in schools, universities, military camps, and other key settings could help expand the donor base.
He also highlights practical barriers that discourage donation. Staffing shortages, limited operating locations, and a lack of donor-friendly planning remain ongoing issues. In Nicosia, for example, only two donation points are currently available, forcing many potential donors to spend significant time traveling, which can act as a deterrent.
Together, these factors explain why blood needs continue to rise, even in a country with a strong culture of donation, and why systemic changes are increasingly urgent.
