Malawi

Malawi's blood system is coordinated by the Malawi Blood Transfusion Service (MBTS).

The MBTS is a Trust which was established in 2003 by the Government of Malawi through the Ministry of health. MBTS is mandated to collect and supply adequate safe blood and blood products in all the hospitals in Malawi. MBTS collects blood from voluntary non-remunerated blood donors of which 75% of these donors are students. The students range in age from 16 to 25 years. The MBTS plans for drives in schools every four (4) months. This demographic (Student) is preferred MBTS because they are regarded as low risk behavior donors. However, when schools are not in session, MBTS conducts “open days” clinics which are conducted in busy trading centers.

Identified Challenges of Focus

Differing roles/responsibilities across the safe blood value chain, limited oversight and accountability of blood at hospital, so appropriate use of blood is not identified or addressed.
Uncertainty in ownership of in-service clinical training for hospital staff has curtailed local capacity building for blood use and transfusion management
Limited visibility for Malawi Blood Transfusion System (MBTS) into clinical use of blood
Need for greater alignment in goals between MBTS, hospitals, and central government for strategic planning, budgeting, etc.
procurement of commodities need to be standardized

GMT20231108-101340_Record.mp4

Blood Donor Retention and Mobilization webinar : Malawi Case Study

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