IMSS Expands Blood Donation Drives Across Mexico

The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) has increased its offsite blood donation campaigns to ensure timely and safe transfusions for millions nationwide. These initiatives target universities, workplaces, and public and private institutions.

“The blood cannot be manufactured; it is obtained through the solidarity of individuals,” says Gamaliel Benítez, Director of the Blood Bank, Centro Médico Nacional (CMN) Siglo XXI. “These campaigns aim both to collect blood and to raise awareness about the importance of regular, voluntary donation.”

In 2024, the CMN Siglo XXI Blood Bank recruited 1,845 candidates for altruistic donation, resulting in 800 to 900 usable units. Not all candidates are eligible; donors must meet health and safety criteria to protect both the donor and the recipient, says Benítez. The campaigns emphasize voluntary, informed participation, with particular focus on engaging young people.

IMSS organizes these drives as part of its National Health Promotion Strategy. Mobile blood units are deployed to host institutions, and each campaign begins with informational sessions addressing donation procedures and common questions.

On average, each campaign evaluates 50 to 60 candidates per day, with multi-day events assessing over 150 individuals. Collected blood undergoes comprehensive testing under national and international quality standards. Once approved, it is separated into components such as red blood cells, plasma, and platelets and distributed according to hospital needs across the IMSS network.