Partnership for safe blood in Mali: an implementation evaluation

Abstract

Introduction A readily available and a safe blood supply is a great need in Sub- Saharan Africa. The Ministry of Health Mali’s Blood Supply Policy requires Blood Centres in remote areas beyond the capital Bamako. With limited resources for creating blood centres, the task requires solid, committed partnerships.
Aim Physicians for Peace with the Safe Blood for Africa Foundation™, along with the American National Red Cross and Hôpital Nianankoro Fomba (HNF) in Ségou, united with the aim of developing a blood bank and testing centre.
Methods The planning and impleentation of this project occurred over five years and data collection began in 2012.
Results Evaluation of this project revealed in 2012, 9% donors were volunteers vs. 23% in 2013. Safe blood is now available, however, supply does not match requests. In 2012, there was a shortfall of 644 units and 747 in 2013. Discarded blood accounted for 20% loss (2012) and 26% (2013). Transfusion-Transmissible Infections accounted for the majority of losses; e.g. HepB accounted for 50% in 2013.
Discussion and Conclusion Many factors aid in on-going challenges related to sustaining the blood centre. The nature of working across multiple cultures and geographic areas, requiring clearly defined partner roles, and financial constraints cause strain on the timing and delivery of project goals. The partnership developed the Segou region's first blood centre at HNF, with trainedstaff and an equipped facility, serving a community who previously had limited access to Safe Blood. Recommendations and next steps are made to promote sustainability of blood services in Mali.