About 28,000 units of blood are collected per annum. This is adequate for present needs. 11 donors have been found positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) since testing started in 1987, 8 of these in the last year and a half. No case of transmission of HIV by transfusion in Papua New Guinea has been established. Although the prevalence varies in different areas, on average 15% of donors are positive for hepatitis B. The impact of these figures, future requirements for quantity of blood and the need for additional testing of donations for hepatitis C (HCV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) will require clear evaluation of the choices and firm decisions. PIP: The Papua New Guinea Red Cross Blood Transfusion Program, a nongovernmental organization based in Port Moresby General Hospital, has an agreement with the government to "recruit and maintain suitable donor panels and collect and store blood at appropriate centers." The government provides staff (except for the Director and Deputy Director), buildings, and equipment. About 28,000 units of blood are collected each year from unpaid donors at government and church hospitals and mobile sites. Almost 50% of donors are new donors. Generally, the demand for blood is met. Donations are tested for hepatitis B and HIV. Since screening commenced in 1987, 11 donors have been found to be HIV-infected. No case of HIV transmission by transfusion has been established. On average, 15% of donors are positive for hepatitis B. Future goals include consolidation of a stable group of donors who give blood repeatedly and reliably and evaluation of the need for screening of blood supplies for hepatitis C and cytomegalovirus infections. The total annual cost of the blood transfusion program is about K200,000.

A record analysis study was conducted on blood donors in the greater Port Moresby area to determine the trend in the number of blood donations and the profile of donors between 1985 and 1994. There was no significant change in the donation trend between 1985-1989 and 1990-1994. While there were no changes in the age distribution between these two periods, there were significant increases in female donors (from 17% to 25%) and new donors (47% to 54%) during 1990-1994. The study data show that there has been a problem in the retention of donors in the greater Port Moresby area during the 1990-1994 period.
ABO Blood-Group System - classification ; Adolescent ; Blood Donors - statistics & ; numerical data ; Demography ; Hemoglobins - analysis