This funding aims to reduce health disparities in these groups and save more lives.
The Community Grants Programme, led by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), has committed £600,000 to address the shortage of organ and blood donors from black, Asian and mixed ethnic backgrounds.
The funding builds on ongoing efforts by the Government and the NHS to address health inequalities for individuals who require life-saving transplants and regular blood transfusions.
The Community Grants Program funds projects led by community, faith, and faith organizations to increase awareness and support for giving, especially among Black and Asian communities.
In addition, the scheme will involve more Black heritage providers to treat people with sickle cell disease, the UK’s fastest growing blood disorder, which is more prevalent among Black heritage people. The purpose is to provide information and to recruit.
NHSBT is inviting applications to join diverse communities across England and Wales, offering a two-year grant opportunity of up to £20,000 per year.
The funding available includes £300,000 for blood donation projects, £150,000 for living kidney donation projects and £150,000 for deceased organ donation projects.
Dame Andrea Leadsom, Minister for Public Health and Primary Care, said: ‘Blood and organ donation is essential to saving lives and this year’s funding will help stimulate donations and raise awareness within our diverse communities. It underlines our commitment to initiatives aimed at achieving this goal.”
Umar Malik, Community Fund Manager at NHSBT, said: “By continuing to work closely with community groups, our goal is to begin dialogue, address misinformation, and reduce the health disparities that many within these groups may encounter.” , to save more lives.”
UK Health and Safety Executive in December 2023 published of Inequalities in emergency hospitalization rates due to influenza and COVID-19 The report, from September 2022 to February 2023, found that COVID-19 and influenza infection rates and emergency hospitalization rates were significantly higher among ethnic groups and people living in poorer areas.
Based on these results, UKHSA has encouraged people in these communities to book their flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
