Aalborg to establish plasma center to meet Danske Regioner expectations in Denmark

In North Jutland, local politicians have been addressing the need to meet the expectations of Danske Regioner for self-sufficiency in blood plasma supply. The health committee has proposed a solution that involves establishing facilities in pavilions at the newly built Aalborg University Hospital in Aalborg Øst, as there is no space available in the hospital’s main building. This solution will require a one-time investment of 27 million kroner but is expected to generate an annual revenue of 11 million kroner from selling plasma to the pharmaceutical industry, with processed plasma valued at around 1,500 kroner per kilogram.

Lina Hundebøll Jespersen, the chair of the regional health committee, emphasized the urgency of launching a plasma center and the strategic advantage of consolidating activities at the new hospital. Plasma is essential for producing life-saving medications, such as immunoglobulin, particularly crucial for cancer patients with compromised immune systems.

In June 2021, Danske Regioner mandated all five regions to establish plasma donation centers by 2027. Currently, plasma centers are operational in two regions: Midtjylland and Syddanmark. In North Jutland, the existing blood bank in Aalborg’s city center has been unable to expand its donation capacity due to a lack of suitable space.

Last year, 13 tons of plasma were collected in Aalborg, but the Blood Bank indicates that double that amount is needed for self-sufficiency. The new center aims to produce over 25 tons annually, contingent upon sufficient donor participation. Per Højen, the chair of the regional blood donors, is optimistic about the potential for attracting more donors with improved facilities, as the current donation location is inadequate. North Jutland currently has 3,600 plasma donors, with a need for at least 2,000 more to reach self-sufficiency targets, which nationwide would require a total of 33,000 plasma donors.