In the Democratic Republic of Congo, voluntary blood donation is a crucial public health issue which has seen a notable increase in recent years. Indeed, according to statistics provided by the Director of the National Blood Transfusion Program (PNTS), Dr Pacifique Misingi, the percentage of blood donations coming from voluntary donors increased from 11% in 2000 to 36% in 2024. A significant progression , but which remains below the real needs of the population.
During the celebration of World Blood Donor Day, Dr. Misingi stressed that despite this increase, the coverage of blood needs is not yet optimal. In fact, of all the donations collected, only 36% come from voluntary donors, while 60% are family donations and 4% are paid donations. This unequal distribution shows that it is essential to increase public awareness of the importance of voluntary blood donation.
It is important to emphasize that the main beneficiaries of blood products are children under five years of age and women of childbearing age. These population groups have a crucial need for blood products for various medical reasons. Thus, encouraging voluntary blood donation is essential to meet the urgent health needs of these vulnerable people.
Dr Misingi paid tribute to the dedication of volunteer donors who, through their generous gesture, help save lives on a daily basis. He underlined the importance of recognizing these men and women who give their time and blood without any financial compensation, with the sole aim of helping their neighbors.
In conclusion, voluntary blood donation in the Democratic Republic of Congo is increasing, but there are still challenges to overcome to achieve optimal coverage of blood product needs. It is essential to increase public awareness of the importance of this supportive and altruistic gesture, which saves lives and contributes to improving the health of the Congolese population. Thank you to the volunteer donors for their commitment and generosity.