Over 1 Million Iranians Step Up to Donate Blood in Just 5 Months!
In a remarkable display of community spirit, a total of 1.034 million Iranians donated blood in the first five months of the current Iranian year, which commenced on March 21. This figure highlights the commitment of the Iranian population towards blood donation, as reported by an official from the Blood Transfusion Organization. The growth in blood donations has been particularly notable in provinces like Zanjan and North Khorasan, each recording a substantial increase of 13 percent.
According to Shahram Mirzaei, a spokesperson for the organization, regular donors accounted for approximately 54 percent of these donations, translating to nearly 557,000 blood units. The provinces leading in continuous blood donation growth include:
- Sistan-Baluchestan – 11.5 percent growth
- North Khorasan – over 8 percent growth
- Kohgiluyeh-Boyerahmad – more than 7 percent growth
During this period, 52,600 women also participated in blood donation efforts. The provinces with the highest contributions from women were:
- Lorestan and North Khorasan – approximately 9 percent
- Qazvin and Kermanshah – around 8 percent
Mirzaei further noted a significant increase in women’s blood donation contributions in the provinces of Hormozgan, Fars, and Zanjan.
WHO Recognizes Iran’s Blood Donation Efforts
The World Health Organization (WHO) has praised the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO) for its leadership in ensuring blood safety and effective transfusion services. In a statement made in January, WHO representative Jaffar Hussain commended the IBTO for achieving a 100 percent voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation system, which serves as a model for other nations. This accomplishment underscores Iran’s commitment to universal health coverage.
Hussain expressed gratitude to blood donors, emphasizing that their selflessness inspires others. He praised the IBTO’s expertise in providing services for patients with rare blood types, reinforcing Iran’s role as a leader in blood transfusion and management of rare blood types.
The WHO official highlighted the significance of National Rare Blood Day on January 22, where he applauded Iran’s dedication to equitable healthcare access, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their blood type, receive the necessary support. He reflected on the challenges associated with rare blood and stressed the importance of collaboration, innovation, and unwavering determination in addressing these global challenges.
Annual Blood Donation Trends
The statistics for the previous Iranian calendar year (March 2024 – March 2025) reveal that 2.36 million Iranians donated blood, marking a 1.5 percent increase compared to the previous year. The provinces that contributed the most included:
- Tehran
- Fars
- Khorasan Razavi
- Isfahan
- Mazandaran
- Khuzestan
Over the course of the last Iranian year, approximately four million blood units, including blood products, were transferred to medical facilities, as reported by Haji-Beigi. Interestingly, men comprised 95 percent of blood donors, while women’s contributions stood at 5 percent. Notably, women from Lorestan, North Khorasan, and Sistan-Baluchestan provinces exhibited the highest participation rates.
In discussing the need for diverse blood types, the official pointed out that a significant majority (about 90 percent) of donors had positive blood types, highlighting an ongoing need for negative blood types.
The ongoing commitment to blood donation in Iran is a testament to the collective efforts of the community, health authorities, and organizations like the IBTO, ensuring that patients receive the care they need.
