The quality and safety of blood and its components were "excellent" in Malta, public health director general Ray Busuttil said.

He based his statement on statistics showing that out of the 19,597 units of blood components (that included blood cells and platelets) distributed in 2007, only 29 adverse reactions related to blood transfusions were reported.

According to the National Haemovigilance Report for 2007 there were no cases of transfusion-transmitted infections that year. There were no deaths related to blood transfusion and none of the reported reactions were related to the quality and safety of blood.

Dr Busuttil was quoting statistics during the launch of the Maltese National Haemovigilance System, which aimed to ensure the organised surveillance of adverse or unexpected events or reactions in blood donors and recipients and the epidemiological follow-up of donors.

The report for 2008 was being compiled for transmission to the EU Commission by June 2009, he said.

"Blood transfusion was being used in the treatment of various conditions. However, blood transfusion was not without risks and can potentially be the cause of reactions and transmission of infectious diseases," he said.

Dr Busuttil added that haemovigilance was important because quality in blood and blood components was a continuous investment owed to patients.

The establishment of the haemovigilance system was also important in view of Malta's legal obligations imposed by various laws and EU directives.