- Do not discontinue offers that save lives
NITO President Kjetil Lein reacts strongly to the Northern Norway Regional Health Authority's decision to close down the so-called "wandering blood banks" in Finnmark from 1 August 2026. The scheme has provided quick access to life-saving blood in areas with long distances to hospitals.
"This is a measure that has been documented to have saved lives, and discontinuing such a service weakens preparedness and is very worrying," says NITO President Kjetil Lein.
NRK: Shutting down life-saving blood bank project: - Irresponsible
See also: NITO top: - Don't shut down offers that save lives
Fears weakened emergency preparedness in rural areas
In Finnmark, the distances to hospital can be great, and the time until treatment is often crucial.
"When blood can be obtained in minutes instead of hours, it is in practice a matter of life or death, and reducing such a capacity is the opposite of what our health preparedness needs," says Lein.
Municipalities and professional communities in the region have also warned of the consequences and referred to the closure as professionally indefensible.
Calls for national investment in blood preparedness
NITO believes that the case shows the need for a long-term national commitment to blood preparedness in rural areas.
"This cannot be dependent on temporary project funds or local budgets. We need a national strategy and predictable funding of emergency preparedness," says Lein.
He also points out that the decision comes at the same time as total preparedness and robustness are highlighted as national priorities.
"Everyday preparedness is the basis for crisis preparedness. Shutting down functioning solutions in peacetime weakens the ability to handle crises," Lein concludes.
