Professor Thérèse Nkoa, Technical Adviser No 2 in the Ministry of Public Health, explains the importance of donating blood.

What is the situation of blood donation in the country?

Before talking about blood donation, it is important to start with blood transfusion which is the main process in blood donation. There is a law that talks about the dos and don’ts when it comes to blood transfusion in the country. The ministry has created a committee in charge of blood safety which is awaiting the National Blood System to be fully put in place.

About three years ago, the government created a National Blood Transfusion Programme. The next step now is to fully build and equip structures (national and regional level blood safety structures) as well as train people who will work in them. As we await these structures to fully go operational, at different hospitals in the country, there are services charged with blood safety. However, these structures have some limitations such as constant lack of blood as well as tools in ensuring safe blood transfusion.

It is observed that many people do not like to give out their blood freely. How can we explain this reticence?

Cameroonians do not like to donate blood. Firstly, many people are ignorant of the fact that blood donation is a gift from God and giving blood is saving life. Blood is not sold in markets. We need somebody to give blood to another person in need. Blood donation is still seen as a taboo in some regions in the country. Some people belief that when they donate their blood, it could be used for something else.

It is sad to note that many people are not sensitised on the importance of blood donation. This will be a major challenge when the blood transfusion service will go operational. It is important for people, especially the media, to sensitise the public on the importance of blood donation. Blood donation is a national problem that concerns everyone and we cannot build a blood transfusion system without blood donors.

What strategy has been put in place to encourage people to donate blood?

We celebrate International Blood Donor Day. This is to sensitise and encourage others to join the bandwagon in donating blood. The government encourages the association of voluntary blood donors because this is the best thing to do in life. Government hopes to bring voluntary blood donors into a federation through which the problem of blood donation will be discussed at a global level and strategies to improve the situation established.

People should not always think of material or cash benefits when they donate their blood. The government seeks to ensure that when a blood donor is sick, special treatments are given to him/her in different hospitals as well as awarding medals of recognition. However, the best benefit of a blood donor is satisfaction in saving a life.