Blood donation is an act of human solidarity that is essential to save lives. Studies show that the supply of blood for transfusion in sub-Saharan Africa is insufficient. In Cameroon, blood collection and screening face significant challenges due to a number of factors.
Cameroon needs around 400,000 pints of blood annually, but in 2021 only 140,207 pints were collected of which 90% were from family replacement donors, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This is due in part to the lack of information among the population regarding voluntary blood donation and its benefits, experts say.
Overcoming this obstinate challenge requires the involvement of all stakeholders, including Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the field, according to the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) of Cameroon.
It is in the context of bringing all stakeholders onboard that NBTS conceived a project to map out CSOs involved in the promotion of voluntary blood donation and/or in its collection or having the potential to do so in all the ten Regions of the country.
Results of the study were presented at a meeting in Yaounde on Friday, December 20, 2024. Besides representatives of some CSOs, technical and financial partners also attended the meeting chaired by NBTS Director General, Prof Dora Ngum Shu Mbanya.
“The mapping of CSOs in the field of voluntary blood promotion and collection is part of a global vision aimed at improving the availability of safe and accessible blood for all,” said Prof Dora Ngum.
The mapping was designed as a strategic tool to identify CSOs active in the field and their level of involvement; assess their potential and capacity to contribute more to blood availability efforts and to promote the creation of synergies between stakeholders to strengthen collective results.
Presenting the findings, the Head of the Marketing, Social Mobilization, Planning and Organization of Collections Unit at NBTS, Tiock Epolle disclosed that 650 CSOs have accepted to collaborate with NBTS with 11 expressed reservations.
The Principal Health Administrator also said teams deployed on the field identified a total of 1,035 potential collection basins including 265 religious denominations, 418 universities and Private Higher Institutions of Learning as well as 352 medium and large companies in the 10 regions.
It was also revealed that the NBTS has developed a CSO capacity building plan, in parallel, which aims to fill the gaps identified in terms of training, management and community mobilization.
“By equipping CSOs with the necessary skills and tools, we help to strengthen their impact and autonomy in this crucial area,” Prof Dora Ngum said.
The project was developed with the financial and technical support of the French Embassy in Cameroon, through the Fund for Solidarity and Innovative Project (FSPI-R). It was conducted over a three-month period spanning April to June 2024.
