Many of us have witnessed firsthand the devastation caused by blood shortages in African communities. Despite advances in blood transfusion and its critical role in saving lives and improving health outcomes, many African nations continue to face challenges in ensuring adequate and safe blood supply.
According to the World Health Organization, developing nations have unequal access to safe blood compared to industrialized nations. Despite the universal necessity for blood, the disparity is striking, with African nations particularly lagging behind. In 2016, these countries were able to secure a mere five units of blood per 1,000 people—half of the yearly target of 10 units per 1,000 people. The heartbreaking reality is that millions of mothers and their children die each year as a result of severe anemia caused by insufficient blood supply, resulting in a significant number of maternal deaths, 72% of which are caused by a lack of blood to treat severe perinatal hemorrhage. The delay in transfusing blood to infants suffering from pediatric malaria-associated anemia is also contributing to rising infant mortality rates[1].
African nations struggle to maintain a steady blood supply due to several underlying factors. The insufficient infrastructure in rural areas, where the necessary resources to collect, store, and distribute blood are lacking, is a significant contributor. This includes a shortage of blood banks, refrigeration, and transportation vehicles. Furthermore, the limited blood donation culture, due to a lack of awareness, results in a low number of voluntary donors. Additionally, the lack of funding for the health system makes it challenging to allocate resources for blood management. Political instability and conflict in some African countries can also pose a threat to the blood supply chain and make it difficult to distribute blood to those in need.
As the age-old problem of insufficient blood supplies in Africa persists, the private sector steps forward with innovative solutions. But the million-dollar question remains: Can the private sector truly be the key to bridging the blood transfusion gap in Africa?
While taking significant steps to support Africa’s blood supply, such as establishing blood collection facilities, adopting innovative blood collection technologies, and collaborating with the public, the private sector can help to alleviate the continent’s blood crisis.
A great example of private sector investment in blood transfusions is the partnership between CDH Investment Bank and The Malawi Blood Transfusion Services (MBTS) in Malawi. This national organization is dedicated to providing safe blood and blood products to patients across the country, improving health through coordinated blood collection, testing, processing, storage, and distribution. To reach remote areas, MBTS aims to install blood bank fridges in district hospitals and is seeking financial support from the private sector. CDH Investment Bank has generously donated $2500 for a blood bank fridge in Mangochi, which will benefit the Monkey Bay Health Centre and Muli Bwanji Mission Hospital.[2]
In the bustling cities of Lagos and Abuja, Lifebank, a Nigerian-based private sector company, has teamed up with a diverse range of organizations such as hospitals, government bodies, NGOs, and private companies to elevate the standard of blood transfusions in the country. These strategic alliances ensure a secure blood supply, elevated blood availability and quality, and raise awareness for blood donation. Lifebank encourages selfless blood donation through their user-friendly web application where individuals can register as voluntary blood donors. They also have an efficient hospital app that simplifies the process of navigation. Motorcycles and boats are the quickest means of transport along the coast, guaranteeing timely and immaculate delivery of goods. Lifebank has enabled over 30 million people to gain immediate access to blood and other medical supplies[3].
The private sector makes waves in the blood supply industry and the Coalition of Blood in Africa (COBA) is a prime example. COBA, in partnership with the Global Blood Fund and the Africa Society for Blood in Africa, marked World Blood Donor Day by launching the “Give Blood Song.” This song was broadcast in five languages across Africa and received widespread exposure through various media channels. COBA also formed a new partnership with Facebook, utilizing Facebook Ads credits in 14 Anglophone and Francophone countries to raise awareness about the significance of giving blood. The campaign reached approximately 2 million users per country, inspiring them to donate blood at their nearest collection center. COBA has been a steadfast supporter of blood drives, including the “Blood for Mothers Campaign” in Kenya on International Women’s Day 2021. The campaign drew a lot of attention on social media and, through collaboration with partners and the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service, collected 3774 units of blood, surpassing the goal of 3000 units. This was one of the highest collections recorded in Kenya in the year 2021[4].
Another instance of private sector involvement in the blood ecosystem in Africa is the Kenya Red Cross Society’s partnership with the Safaricom Foundation, the charitable branch of the Kenyan telecommunications firm Safaricom. This collaboration has boosted the number of blood donors in Kenya by offering a convenient means for people to sign up and receive reminders through Safaricom’s mobile money platform (Mpesa). One notable example of this partnership was during the Westgate crisis, when Safaricom and the Kenya Red Cross Society were able to raise over 30 million in 24 hours through Mpesa PayBill for the Westgate victims. The funds collected helped with providing medical supplies, including blood[5].
It is important to acknowledge the vital contribution of the private sector in improving the safety and efficiency of blood collection, increasing the number of donors, and raising the standards of blood supply quality and safety. To fully close the gap in blood supply and ensure every person in Africa has access to safe and reliable blood transfusions, a partnership between the private and public sectors is crucial, with the public sector providing the infrastructure and the private sector bringing in innovative solutions and resources. Let’s join forces to make certain that everyone in Africa can receive safe and dependable blood transfusions. This collaboration has enormous potential and has the ability to not only preserve countless lives but also create a more robust and equitable healthcare system. It’s time for us to come together and tackle this challenge, as the health and welfare of our communities depend on it. It’s time to take action and collaborate to ensure that blood transfusions are accessible to all in Africa!
