Italy faces widespread blood shortage, particularly for O positive group

Italy is facing a widespread blood shortage, according to the Centro Nazionale Sangue (CNS). The crisis is particularly acute for the O positive blood group, which is the most common in the population and most frequently required by hospitals. The most critical shortages are reported in the Lazio, Campania, and Sicily regions. Due to the lack of surplus units in other areas, interregional compensation is currently unable to offset these deficits.

In Salerno, the Azienda San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona has suspended all scheduled surgical and clinical activities that require blood transfusions, limiting operations to emergencies and urgent cases only. To address the shortage, several extraordinary donation drives have been organized, including events in Rome and Salerno.

While some local areas, such as Modena, report that reserves are currently sufficient for programmed needs, authorities warn that the summer decline in donations, exacerbated by record heat, has left the national system vulnerable. The CNS and various donor associations are calling for an immediate increase in donations to ensure the continuity of essential healthcare services.