The U.S. ambassador is donating blood to support hospitals in Tunisia
Diplomatic involvement in a blood donation campaign in Tunisia amid an estimated 40,000 operations a year to meet the needs of blood banks for patients and injured.
The US ambassador to Tunisia donated blood at a local hospital in Tunis in late October 2026 with the participation of several embassy staff. The move came as part of a campaign organized in partnership with the National Center for Blood Transfusion to support and provide medical supplies to patients and injured patients undergoing emergency surgery.
The health system has an estimated 40,000 donations a year to meet the growing demand for blood and blood products in hospitals. The amounts available in the current strategy cover the needs of health institutions for only 5 days, while family donations make up 65% of the total versus 35% for regular volunteer donors.
The National Center for Blood Transfusion revealed in April 2026 that hospital facilities collected about 250,000 units of blood by 2025. Official data showed that the national demand ranges from 290,000 to 300,000 units a year, putting continuous pressure on blood collection centers.
Blood collection and regulation in the country is based on the legal framework of the National Blood Transfer Centre established by the Finance Act of 31 December 1963. This public body under the supervision of the Ministry of Health operates to manage the blood transfusion system and monitor its safety standards in various health structures.
The approved health plan aims to attract between 100 and 150 new volunteers a day. These efforts aim to raise the regular donation rate to 50% in the medium term as a prelude to full self-sufficiency for hospitals.