Brazzaville – In the Republic of the Congo, 80% of donated blood products are provided to hospitals treating women and children. Shortages of blood can be life-threatening to patients who need it for critical, emergency medical procedures. Over the past three years, the country has taken measures to increase blood donation to meet its annual requirement of 150 000 pouches on average. More blood donation centres have been set up in the major hospitals and universities and additional ones are planned to boost supply.
WHO/Simi Vijay
The Blanche Gomes Mother & Child Hospital in Brazzaville, Congo’s capital city, is one of the main blood donation centres in the country. Dr Serge Oscar Mokono (not in picture), the centre’s director, explains that thanks to more donation sites, the country has seen an increase in supply over three years from 45 000 to 86 000 pouches currently.
“We’ve adopted a decentralized approach: we go to workplaces, neighbourhoods and markets to raise awareness about blood donation. As a result, currently 40% of donations are by voluntary donors,” he says.
“But more remains to be done because we need an average of 150 000 pouches per year,” he adds.
“We’ve adopted a decentralized approach: we go to workplaces, neighbourhoods and markets to raise awareness about blood donation. As a result, currently 40% of donations are by voluntary donors,” he says.
“But more remains to be done because we need an average of 150 000 pouches per year,” he adds.
WHO/Simi Vijay
Blood and blood products are essential resources for patient care. This is particularly the case for women who suffer from bleeding during pregnancy and childbirth, accident victims and patients undergoing complex medical and surgical procedures.
“The first time I donated blood, I was on a work assignment at the Brazzaville University Hospital. I noticed then that there was a shortage of blood. Mindful of the importance of this act, I’ve since been doing it for five years, two to three times a year,” says 30-year-old Dominique Linguendze, while donating blood at the Blanche Gomes Mother & Child Hospital.
“The first time I donated blood, I was on a work assignment at the Brazzaville University Hospital. I noticed then that there was a shortage of blood. Mindful of the importance of this act, I’ve since been doing it for five years, two to three times a year,” says 30-year-old Dominique Linguendze, while donating blood at the Blanche Gomes Mother & Child Hospital.
WHO/Simi Vijay
Over the past four years, Dr Mokono has been working with his teams at the National Blood Transfusion Centre to ensure that no patient dies due to lack of blood.
“It is unacceptable that people continue to die because of the lack of blood in our country. By joining hands and with the willingness of all, we can resolve this problem. The solution is within reach now,” he says, noting that in Congo, cultural views are a major obstacle to voluntary blood donation.
“What prevents many people from donating blood is a belief held in certain communities. The symbolism of blood is very strong; many believe that the soul resides in blood. For them, giving blood means losing their soul, their totems and their power. They feel that donating blood makes them vulnerable.”
“Given these ideas or fears, effective and reassuring communication serves to remove doubts and convince people of the importance of donating blood,” notes Dr Mokono.
“It is unacceptable that people continue to die because of the lack of blood in our country. By joining hands and with the willingness of all, we can resolve this problem. The solution is within reach now,” he says, noting that in Congo, cultural views are a major obstacle to voluntary blood donation.
“What prevents many people from donating blood is a belief held in certain communities. The symbolism of blood is very strong; many believe that the soul resides in blood. For them, giving blood means losing their soul, their totems and their power. They feel that donating blood makes them vulnerable.”
“Given these ideas or fears, effective and reassuring communication serves to remove doubts and convince people of the importance of donating blood,” notes Dr Mokono.
WHO/Simi Vijay
The National Blood Transfusion Centre in Brazzaville has established collection sites in the city’s five major hospitals and fixed outpost blood collection posts are planned at busy locations across the city.
“We plan to set them up in places like markets and universities to yield 500 to 1000 pouches. A site has already been set up at (a university) and is run by students. They mobilize themselves and come up with a (blood) collection plan. We provide them with technical support for sampling and handling,” Dr Mokono says.
Five other sites are planned by the end of the year.
“We plan to set them up in places like markets and universities to yield 500 to 1000 pouches. A site has already been set up at (a university) and is run by students. They mobilize themselves and come up with a (blood) collection plan. We provide them with technical support for sampling and handling,” Dr Mokono says.
Five other sites are planned by the end of the year.
WHO/Simi Vijay
World Health Organization (WHO) is providing technical expertise to countries to develop strategies and structures for safe and sufficient blood supply.
"This is the case, for example, in the context of haemovigilance, i.e., the health monitoring system relating to blood transfusion, or even good transfusion practices, the rational use of blood so that there is no wastage, etc. These are all tools that allow the authorities to have perfect control of the blood supply chain,” says Dr André Loua, Regional Advisor on Blood Safety at the WHO Regional Office for Africa.
"This is the case, for example, in the context of haemovigilance, i.e., the health monitoring system relating to blood transfusion, or even good transfusion practices, the rational use of blood so that there is no wastage, etc. These are all tools that allow the authorities to have perfect control of the blood supply chain,” says Dr André Loua, Regional Advisor on Blood Safety at the WHO Regional Office for Africa.
WHO/Simi Vijay
Dr Sarah Mbao Bogo, a gynaecologist at Blanche Gomes Mother & Child Hospital in Brazzaville, knows only too well the importance of the timely availability of blood.
“Each week we have at least three to four complications linked to haemorrhaging. These cases come to us almost entirely from (other regions). For our patients here, as soon as we detect the risk, the patient is taken care of properly before they lose blood. However, when patients come from elsewhere, the situation is usually serious by the time they arrive. So, many die from haemorrhage.”
“Each week we have at least three to four complications linked to haemorrhaging. These cases come to us almost entirely from (other regions). For our patients here, as soon as we detect the risk, the patient is taken care of properly before they lose blood. However, when patients come from elsewhere, the situation is usually serious by the time they arrive. So, many die from haemorrhage.”
WHO/Simi Vijay
For Dominique Linguendze, donating blood is the only way to save a life of those who need the critical medical product.
“Blood cannot be manufactured. It is only through donating blood that a person in need can have it. To give my blood is to give a little of myself. It makes me feel like a heroine.”
“Blood cannot be manufactured. It is only through donating blood that a person in need can have it. To give my blood is to give a little of myself. It makes me feel like a heroine.”
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