I am Rob Wise and in South Africa, we normally maintain a supply of about two to three days' worth of emergency blood. But recently, we were down to just 0.7 days. That's not a warning sign—it's a national crisis. A severe shortage of blood products is placing enormous strain on healthcare services. My lecture focused on the use of fluids in resource-limited countries. One of the most important messages I wanted to convey is that the developing world faces challenges that many in high-income countries simply do not encounter. The reality on the ground can be drastically different. The fluid research currently being conducted is incredibly valuable, and I applaud the progress being made. However, it's crucial that we include resource-limited settings in both the research and the solutions. Otherwise, the recommendations won't be applicable or helpful for those who need them most. When clinicians have no choice at all—for example, only one fluid available—the outcome is dissatisfaction and frustration. When there are too many choices, the decision becomes overwhelming. Interestingly, offering just the right amount of choice—around six options—leads to the greatest satisfaction. This metaphor captures the complexity of decision-making in both resource-rich and resource-poor environments. This is my first time attending IFAD, and I'm truly enjoying the experience. It's fantastic to meet so many people from around the world and to share experiences and challenges. This meeting has been both educational and inspiring, and I look forward to being a part of it again.

Ver todos los episodios