Departmental and regional president of the Federated Associations for Voluntary Blood Donation,
Christian Huerta is taking advantage of the new year to warn of a deteriorating situation.
The National Federation for Voluntary Blood Donation has just challenged the President of the Republic. At the beginning of a new year, Christian Huerta, departmental and regional president of the Federated Associations for Voluntary Blood Donation, raises the alarm once again.Interview.
What is the situation so far?
We just went through a difficult period due to the pandemic. Blood donors responded. Today, for the French Blood Institute (EFS), which is the only organization carrying out blood collections in the area, the situation has particularly worsened, primarily in terms of personnel. In May 2022 EFS lacked no less than 200 jobs (doctors, nurses) and in September this figure rose to 300 vacancies! This shortage of staff led EFS to cut more than 1000 mobile collections in municipalities, universities , companies etc. As for the Maisons du Don, located in city centers, these are thousands of days of closure.
Is the damage also economic?
Yes. In October 2016, the European Court of Justice ruled that EFS should be subject to VAT. This represents a deficit of 70 million euros in the EFS accounts since 2020! This “hole” was partially compensated in a decreasing manner, first 30 million euros, then 20 million and 10 in 2023! Also, this year, EFS is facing the explosion in the cost of energy…about 23 million more. There is therefore a lack of between 40 and 50 million euros which we are asking from the state.
Is Haute-Garonne also interested?
In 2021, Midi-Pyrénées’ 100,000 donors collected more than 175,000 blood bags; those of Haute-Garonne (50,000 donors) made it possible to collect 80,000 bags. Let’s imagine for a moment that EFS cannot or cannot guarantee these mobile collections, how are we going to help, cure the sick? We are very worried about the future if our request is not taken into consideration. Haute-Garonne has 40 associations which bring together almost 350 volunteers. The challenge that presents itself is enormous.
What do you think could solve the problem?
The only track is for the aid to be adapted again to the needs of EFS which is a public body. The example that comes to mind is plasma collection. 900,000 liters are collected by EFS for the benefit of the Fractionation and Biotechnology Laboratory (LFB) for the production of Blood Derived Medicines (MDS). What if EFS struggles to fulfill its mission? There is a good chance that we will turn to the USA where plasma is remunerated. And imagine that one day the USA decides not to sell us their plasma or to sell it at a higher price… We must prioritize collection from our potential donors, to make plasma and blood donation better known. The President of the Republic said: “our priority is to produce more in France and in Europe, we must regain this independence, this sovereignty and this solidarity! » We then replied that our dearest wish for this new year is «that the EFS be given the necessary means to carry out its mission: to save lives!»
