The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, spread globally, disrupting various aspects of daily life and significantly affecting blood transfusion services and donation patterns. One of the primary factors contributing to the decline in donations was the fear and safety concerns of donors about contracting the virus at donation centres. This created immense pressure on blood transfusion facilities. To prevent a shortage of blood products, it became crucial to maintain donor engagement throughout the pandemic. This study investigates the impact of COVID-19 on blood donor behaviour and evaluates two strategies aimed at mitigating the decrease in donations: increasing public awareness through advertising and enhancing donation accessibility via mobile units. Using system dynamics modelling, a simulation was conducted with real data from 2018 to 2022. The results show a significant decline in first-time, sporadic, and repeat donors during the pandemic. While advertising policies initially increased donations, their effectiveness waned over time due to overcrowded donation centres and ongoing safety concerns. In contrast, the mobile unit strategy consistently increased donations, without experiencing a subsequent decrease. These findings underscore the importance of adaptive, context-sensitive policies to ensure a stable blood supply during public health crises.

Keywords