[afro-nets] RFI: Sustainability of Blood Safety Programme

[Dr Faustine Ndugulile <Fndugulile@netscape.net>]

RFI: Sustainability of Blood Safety Programme
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Dear all,

I am interested in knowing means and ways of sustaining a Na-
tional Blood Transfusion Services from other countries with such
a programme.

Tanzania is currently setting up a National Blood Transfusion
Services with the support of the US Government through PEPFAR
Initiative. In the past blood banks have been part of the hospi-
tal Laboratories - with this set up, we frequently experienced
shortages of blood and poor screening of blood and its products.

This nationally coordinated blood transfusion initiative is
aimed at provision of adequate, free from infections blood from
low-risk non-paid blood donors.

The National Blood Transfusion Services will have the overall
mandate of blood collection, processing and distribution to
health facilities.

I am aware that the costs involved in collection, processing and
distribution are high. My team and I are trying to brainstorm on
possible measures that would bring sustainability to the pro-
gramme including introduction of enrollment fees to health fa-
cilities, Central and Local Governments subsidies.

I would appreciate some feedback from members on how to make
Blood Transfusion Services self-sustainable.

Dr Faustine Ndugulile MD
Blood Safety Programme
Ministry of Health
Tanzania
mailto:Fndugulile@netscape.net