Bearing in mind Resolution WHA28.721 of the World Health Assembly (1975) and Resolution XVIII of the XXII International Conference of the Red Cross;

Conscious of the need for effective blood transfusion services for the achievement of the goal of health for all by the year 2000;

Expressing concern over the quality and availability of blood transfusion services in some developing countries of the Region and the lack of effective legislation governing the provision of such services.

Aware of the risk of transmitting disease through lack of effective controls and inadequate training of health personnel in the provision of blood transfusion services; and

Convinced that PAHO has the necessary technical and administrative capacity to coordinate cooperation among Member Countries for the development of safe and effective blood transfusion services,

1. To urge Member Countries to consider the control of blood transfusion services a priority in their national strategies for health for all by the year 2000.

2. To set the year 1990 as the goal for achieving effective blood transfusion services in all countries of the Region, taking into consideration each Member Country's needs and capacity to provide such services.

3. To request the Director to:

a) Seek the technical cooperation of the League of Red Cross Societies, the International Society of Blood Transfusion, and other international bodies concerned with the use of blood products in the provision of health care;

b) Assist Member Countries in need to establish cooperative mechanisms for the provision of adequate and safe supplies of blood and other blood transfusion products.

c) Develop with the international and national organizations an appropriate methodology to evaluate Member Countries needs and the methods of assistance required for the processing and control of blood and blood products and for the provision of effective blood transfusion services;

d) Present proposals for the achievement of the goal of effective blood transfusion services by 1990 for the consideration of the 90th Meeting of the Executive Committee and the XXIX Meeting of the Directing Council in 1983.