Around the world, health organizations strongly promote voluntary, unpaid blood donation. This approach is not only ethical; it is also safer for patients.

What is voluntary, unpaid donation?

·       Voluntary: The donor gives blood by free choice, without pressure.

·       Unpaid: The donor does not receive money or anything of cash value in return (small refreshments and tokens of appreciation are fine).

Donors may receive small rewards like snacks, certificates, recognition events or thank‑you messages, but the main motivation is altruism—helping others.

Why paying for blood increases risk

When people are paid for blood, there is a risk that:

·       Some may hide health problems or risk behaviors (like unsafe sex, drug use, recent illness) to avoid being rejected and losing the payment.

·       Individuals from very poor or desperate situations may feel forced to donate even when unwell.

This increases the chance that infections or other issues may slip past the screening questions. Even with lab testing, this is risky because of the window period and the possibility of new or rare infections.

Why voluntary donors tend to be safer

Studies and global experience show that regular voluntary donors:

·       Are more likely to answer screening questions honestly, since they are not losing money if they are deferred.

·       Usually care about their own health and the safety of patients, and often come back repeatedly when they are fit.

·       Form a stable, low‑risk pool that can be educated about donation rules and infection prevention.

This leads to:

·       Lower rates of transfusion‑transmitted infections in the blood supply.

·       More consistent availability of safe blood for emergencies and chronic conditions.

Ethical and social benefits

Voluntary donation:

·       Builds a culture of solidarity and mutual support.

·       Reduces exploitation of the poor and vulnerable.

·       Encourages people to see donation as a social responsibility, not a commercial transaction.