Blood and Blood Plasma Donor Mobilization and Retention

Webinar 01: Blood and Blood Plasma Donor Retention and Mobilization

On the 8th of November 2023, HSDF, consortium partner in the USAID-funded, Health Systems Strengthening Accelerator (HSSA) consortium facilitated the first of a series of virtual Learning Events for the Accelerator's ‘Strengthening Safe Blood Systems activity’ in Liberia, Malawi, and Rwanda. A key component of the activity is to organize and facilitate cross-country learning and produce global and local resources on strengthening safe blood systems to expand learning and impact in and beyond the three (3) focus countries: Liberia, Malawi, and Rwanda. This first learning event, entitled: Blood Donor Mobilization and Retention Strategies, had over 30 attendees across all three countries. 

The dialogue began with an overview of the Accelerator Strengthening Safe Blood Systems activity, and two examples of blood donation and retention strategies. The Malawi case study presented by Mrs. Malvis Chirwa and Mrs. Janet Katonda from the Malawi Blood Transfusion Service (MBTS), demonstrated a framework for school-based blood donation programs, using a three-pronged approach. While Mr. Mernard Mutenherwa from the Zimbabwe National Blood Service (NBSZ) presented evidence-based strategies for recruitment and mobilization of donors in LMICs. Mr. Mutenherwa spoke on the need for culturally sensitive information to counter misconceptions, safety in testing, as well as the need for target setting and/or quantification of the blood system needs.