The Government of the Republic of Malawi established the Service with funding from the European Commission (European Union) for 6 years with a budget of € 7.8 million.

The overall objective of MBTS is to reduce the incidence of HIV/Aids and other diseases transmissible by blood and blood products and to ensure the appropriate clinical use of blood through the establishment of a centralised and sustainable blood transfusion service that will provide a safe and adequate blood supply through all health care facilities.