90% of countries worldwide report disruptions to essential health services since COVID-19 pandemic – including transfusion care
The World Health Organization (WHO) published a first indicative survey on the impact of COVID-19 on health systems based on 105 countries’ reports. Data collected from March to June 2020 illustrates that almost every country worldwide (90%) experienced disruption to its health services. Countries reported suspensions of many routine and elective services, while critical care–such as cancer screening and treatment–has seen high-risk interruptions in low-income countries. Urgent blood transfusions were disrupted in 23% of countries. Read the full analysis here.