The Ministry of Health has launched a dedicated database to ensure a steady supply of O negative blood, a critical resource in medical emergencies. Dr. Thomas Muyombo, Head of the National Centre for Blood Transfusion at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), shared this development with The New Times, emphasizing the initiative’s potential to address shortages. ALSO READ: How is Rwanda faring on the blood donation front? O negative blood, often referred to as the universal donor type, can be used for patients of any blood group. However, it can only be donated by individuals with the same blood type, making it especially valuable yet scarce. In Rwanda, only about 4% of the population has O negative blood, according to RBC estimates. “To ensure a sufficient supply, RBC’s Division of Blood Transfusion is building a database of O negative donors. These individuals will be regularly engaged and encouraged to donate consistently. In the event of a shortage, we can quickly contact donors from this database,” Dr. Muyombo explained. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s hospital blood supply stands 99% - RBC Dr. Muyombo also noted that while the current supply of O negative blood is adequate, the need for it is constant. “O negative blood is indispensable in critical situations where there is no time to determine a patient’s blood type. This makes it the most sought-after blood type in emergencies,” he said. To meet this demand, RBC has implemented an annual blood collection plan with specific targets for all blood types to minimise wastage and ensure availability. ALSO READ: What do I need to donate blood? Efforts to optimise the use of O negative blood include a robust system for reviewing and approving all requests for this blood type. Requests are evaluated by both an RBC physician and the treating physician to ensure appropriate usage. To prevent wastage, RBC has introduced measures allowing unused blood components to be returned and redistributed to other health facilities after passing quality checks. “This guarantees a stable supply of not just O negative blood but all blood group units,” Muyombo said. The organisation also employs a querying system to monitor and regulate the allocation of O negative blood. “Every request is scrutinized to ensure it is made for the right patient and in the correct quantities,” he added. Last year, Rwanda collected over 86,000 units of blood, falling short of the World Health Organization’s annual target of 140,000 units. Despite this gap, RBC is committed to addressing the challenges posed by blood’s short shelf life: five days for platelets, 42 days for red blood cells, and up to a year for fresh frozen plasma and cryoprecipitate AHF.
