Coalition of Blood for Africa - CoBA

Donating #blood isn't just about giving it's about creating a #healthieryou and a #healthierAfrica. It improves heart health by reducing iron levels, which can benefit cardiovascular health. By lowering iron levels, blood donation may even help reduce the risk of certain cancers. Beyond the physical benefits, giving blood brings a deep sense of fulfilment, knowing your donation can save lives. It also supports community health by ensuring hospitals have the blood they need for emergencies. Plus, regular donations help you stay on top of your own blood health. Become part of the solution for Africa today. #DonateBloodAfrica #SaveLives #HealthyHeartsHealthyAfrica #BloodDonationMatters #GiveBloodSaveLives #StrongerCommunities #HealthForAll #AfricaBloodDonors

Several low and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, face challenges in maintaining #safebloodsupplies due to resource constraints, high deferral rates (up to 37%), and reliance on family replacement donors. To address this, hybrid models (combining voluntary and family replacement donations) are being implemented, but issues like transfusion-transmissible infections persist. #BloodSafety #GlobalHealth #AfricaHealth #BloodDonation #HealthEquity #PublicHealth #VolunteerDonors #HealthcareInnovation #BloodTransfusion #TransfusionSafety

Did you know? #Irondeficiencyanaemia (IDA) affects over 40% of #children and 50% of #pregnantwomen in #subSaharanAfrica, making it one of the most prevalent health issues in the region. The World Health Organization estimates that #anaemia affects more than half a billion women of reproductive age worldwide, with the highest rates in sub-Saharan Africa. But what makes IDA in this region so unique? i. #DietaryLimitations – Traditional diets rely on unrefined grains and plant-based foods, which contain substances that block non-heme iron absorption (the type of iron found in plants), limiting bioavailable iron and increasing deficiency risks. ii.#Infections – High infection rates, such as malaria, increase iron demands while making absorption more difficult. Iron supplements can even increase infection risk, complicating treatment. iii.#Demographics – With 15.4% of the population under age 5 and many adolescent pregnancies, children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to severe anemia. #Whydoesthismatter? Iron deficiency anaemia can lead to stunted growth in children, severe complications during pregnancy, and decreased productivity among adults. For pregnant women, severe anaemia can lead to life-threatening complications for both mother and baby.Without addressing these challenges, the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia will continue to rise, impacting the health and economic productivity of millions. More info: https://shorturl.at/2XCbm   #IronDeficiency #HealthInAfrica #AnaemiaAwareness #PublicHealth #AfricaHealth

Today we celebrate the life and efforts of Dr. Fredrick Okinyi, an outstanding haematologist and passionate advocate for #sicklecellcare. His leadership and dedication to the Sickle Cell Federation of Kenya will continue to inspire us. CoBA remains committed to continuing the collaboration with the #SickleCellFederationofKenya to champion the vision he worked with such devotion and drive for.

Despite significant advancements in health care, sub-Saharan Africa continues to struggle with high morbidity and mortality rates from conditions like sickle cell disease, iron deficiency anaemia, and haematological cancers. Addressing these issues requires a well-rounded approach, but several critical barriers persist. Poll Question: What’s the most urgent barrier holding back #haematology care progress in sub-Saharan Africa? Poll Options: Option 1: Chronic #shortage of #trainedspecialists Option 2:Inadequate #bloodtransfusion systems Option 3:Weak health #infrastructure and #policies Option 4:Neglect of #noncommunicablediseases

Sub-Saharan Africa has made notable progress toward the Millennium Development Goals, but significant challenges remain. The 2017 Lancet Commission highlighted the need for #policyreforms to achieve healthier lives for all by #2030. The latest issue of The Lancet Haematology features key findings from African experts on #haematology priorities. Iron deficiency anaemia continues to be a major health issue, with recommendations for enhanced national iron supplementation, especially for pregnant women. Local initiatives in sickle cell disease are improving care through neonatal screening and awareness campaigns to reduce stigma. Additionally, the East Africa Centres of Excellence project demonstrates successful collaboration to advance education and specialised care for haematological malignancies. #Bloodavailability is critical, necessitating #innovative strategies to enhance transfusion services and recruit #voluntarydonors. #Investing in #haematology is essential for #strengthening healthcare infrastructure and developing innovative therapies. It's important to empower the next generation of African researchers and healthcare professionals to drive this change for a healthier future. #Haematology #HealthForAfrica #SDGs #InnovationInHealthcare

#SickleCellDisease (SCD) poses a significant health challenge in sub-Saharan #Africa, where over 75% of the world’s SCD patients reside. Shockingly, without proper care, up to 90% of #children with SCD may not live to see their fifth birthday. 💔 Current Challenges: #ResourceConstraints: Universal newborn screening programs for SCD are not yet implemented. #HealthcareShortages: There is a lack of qualified healthcare workers and infrastructure for patient care. #LimitedAccess: Patients struggle to access vital treatments like Hydroxyurea, opioids, and blood transfusions. Notable Progress: Despite challenges, progress is being made to enhance care for SCD patients: i. Regional Treatment Guidelines: Tailored protocols for different regions. ii. Community Awareness: Programs to educate healthcare workers and the public. iii. Point-of-Care Testing (POC): Quick tests at the patient’s location to identify SCD in newborns, enabling immediate care. iv. Hydroxyurea: A medication that reduces painful crises by increasing fetal hemoglobin production. Efforts to locally produce Hydroxyurea are underway for better accessibility. v. Gene Therapy: A promising treatment that aims to correct the genetic defect causing SCD. Though currently costly and not widely available, ongoing research is making strides. vi. Dedicated Clinics: Specialized SCD clinics for focused care. Policy Changes: Adjustments to health insurance for Hydroxyurea coverage. The care for #patients with SCD in SSA remains suboptimal due to limited resources, a shortage of qualified #healthcareworkers, and restricted access to essential medications and treatments. However, the progress made in enhancing standards of care reflects a hopeful path forward. #SickleCellDisease #Healthcare #Africa

As #climate change worsens, Africa faces increasing challenges, including in its healthcare sector. Healthcare, including #haematology (blood-related care), contributes 5-6% to global greenhouse gas emissions. In Africa, this impact is growing as the demand for healthcare services increases. #Bloodtransfusions, vital for treating conditions like trauma and anaemia, have a notable environmental cost; each transfusion produces carbon emissions equivalent to driving 40 km in a petrol car, primarily due to refrigeration, transport, and plastic blood bags. But Africa has the opportunity to lead in #reducing the environmental footprint of health care by: i. Improving transport: Shifting to electric vehicles for transporting blood between hospitals and clinics can significantly reduce emissions. ii. Switching to solar power: With Africa's abundant sunlight, using solar energy for refrigeration in rural and urban health centers is a practical and eco-friendly solution. iii. Reducing waste in blood bags: Finding sustainable alternatives to the plastic used in blood storage can lower pollution and reduce the burden on waste management systems. These solutions can be #costeffective over time, reducing long-term energy and waste disposal costs. Additionally, rethinking medical events to adopt virtual formats can lower travel emissions. By implementing these strategies, Africa can promote public health while fostering a #sustainable future. 🌱 #ClimateChange #SustainableHealthcare #BloodDonation #Haematology #AfricaClimateAction #GreenHealthcare

Global progress in #bloodtransfusion safety highlights the ongoing crisis in many low- and middle-income countries, where blood shortages persist. Deferral rates vary widely, from under 1% to over 37%, and reliance on family donations exacerbates the issue. Hybrid donation models and international support aim to improve blood availability in sub-Saharan Africa   #Challenges to Safe #BloodSupply in Sub-Saharan Africa i.High Infection Rates: Blood donors show high rates of infections like HIV, hepatitis, syphilis, and malaria, with 20.7% of blood donations in Malawi testing positive for transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs). ii. Family Replacement Donors: 24.7% of blood donations come from family members, which leads to inconsistent and unsafe blood supplies. iii. Low Female Donor Participation: Cultural beliefs and physiological factors contribute to fewer women donating blood despite making up 50.1% of the population. such as fears that blood donation affects reproductive health, and physiological factors like menstruation, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. iv. Anaemia-Related Donor Deferrals: Iron deficiency, prevalent in up to 42.5% of donors in Namibia, leads to high deferral rates, especially among repeat donors. v. Poor Malaria Screening: Malaria is often not screened in donor blood, despite its prevalence ranging from 1-50% in some regions. Funding Shortages: Insufficient resources limit blood services, affecting donor recruitment, screening, and blood safety initiatives. #Opportunities for a Safer Blood Supply in Sub-Saharan Africa Efforts to improve blood donation in sub-Saharan Africa are growing, with local interventions like Pledge 25 Club in Zimbabwe and South Africa encouraging youth to become regular blood donors. Collaborative projects such as the BloodSafe initiative in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi are converting family donors into regular donors and addressing key challenges like iron deficiency in frequent donors. Innovative approaches using mass media, mobile apps, and text messages have shown promise in boosting blood donation awareness, while targeting women donors with educational campaigns and iron supplementation programs aims to expand the donor base and reduce deferral rates. Be the change Africa needs! Help transform blood donation systems by becoming a #regulardonor . Every donation makes a difference. Take action today! #BloodForAfrica #DonateToday #TransformLives Reference: https://lnkd.in/d-rvVYZc

Millions of people are unaware they carry the #sicklecelltrait, a condition where a person inherits one sickle cell gene but typically shows no symptoms. However, if both parents have the trait, there is a 25% chance with each #pregnancy that their child could be born with sickle cell disease, which can lead to severe health challenges. Knowing your #sicklecell #status is vital not just for your health, but for making informed decisions about family planning. Have you been tested? Let’s spread awareness and encourage everyone to learn their status.