Hospitals across Greece are postponing scheduled blood transfusions and reducing doses for patients as blood reserves drop to critical levels, health officials warned.
The Greek Thalassemia Federation issued an urgent appeal for citizens to visit hospital blood donation units, reporting that reduced stocks have forced medical centers to give patients single blood units instead of two.
According to data collected by the federation from its member associations, treatment delays, postponements of scheduled transfusions, and under-transfusions are actively occurring in major health facilities.
The federation stated that affected hospitals include Agia Sofia Children's Hospital, Nikaia Hospital Agios Panteleimon, and Laiko Hospital in the capital region, as well as the University General Hospital of Patras in Rio.
Under-transfusion incidents have also been recorded at Ippokrateio Hospital in Athens and regional hospitals in Ioannina, Pyrgos, Agrinio, and Rhodes.
In many instances, patients who depend on regular blood administration are receiving only one unit of blood during their scheduled appointments rather than the two units prescribed for their care.
Impact on patients with blood disorders
For individuals living with thalassemia and sickle cell disease, regular blood transfusions form an essential part of ongoing medical care. Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that limits the body's ability to produce hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Sickle cell disease affects red blood cells by causing them to become rigid and misshapen, leading to painful complications and anemia.
The federation warned that delays, postponements, or receiving lower amounts of blood than prescribed can directly impair patient health, daily functionality, and quality of life.
The supply deficit extends beyond chronic conditions. Hospital blood stocks are required daily for surgical operations, organ transplants, oncology treatments, trauma victims, and emergency cases, as well as any patient facing sudden medical needs.
National appeal for voluntary donors
In response to the ongoing shortages, the Greek Thalassemia Federation called on all eligible citizens to donate blood voluntarily at hospital donation services and organized blood collection points.
The federation emphasized that the appeal does not target a specific patient or individual hospital, but seeks an immediate nationwide replenishment of hospital blood reserves across Greece.
Voluntary blood donation remains critical to maintaining constant and emergency health system requirements. The federation pointed out that blood cannot be manufactured artificially, making availability entirely dependent on voluntary donors.
The organization emphasized that blood cannot be produced synthetically and must be given from person to person.
