The maximum amount of plasma that can be donated will increase within the year, from 650 to 765 millilitres (ml), according to a royal decree published on Friday.
Rode Kruis Vlaanderen (the Red Cross in Flanders) aims to collect about 5% more plasma in 2024 than it did last year. In concrete terms, this equates to an additional 7,500 litres. Health Ministers Frank Vandenbroucke and Hilde Crevits championed this donation target during a visit to the donor centre in Brussels.
Plasma is the yellow fluid found in our blood. During a regular blood donation, an individual typically provides almost 300 ml of plasma, compared to the 650 ml from plasma-only donations. With the increased medical use of plasma, for example in medication or as a coagulant, the demand has skyrocketed.
Previously, Belgian stock was supplemented with imports, primarily from the United States, where financial compensation is given for donations. "You receive about $80 per donation there," explained Rode Kruis Vlaanderen spokesperson Joachim Deman. "This worked in the beginning, but over time they have seen a decrease. If people are properly motivated, they keep coming. We noted this too during the Covid-19 pandemic."
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Belgium currently relies heavily on other countries, but in the future, the country's own supply must increase. "We want our country to be as self-sufficient as possible, to ensure affordability and supply of life-saving medication based on plasma," stated Federal Minister Vandenbroucke.
"For this very reason, Rode Kruis Vlaanderen is seeking many more donors. Not just for now, but for the coming years."
