Yaounde Central Hospital faces low blood supply

Cameroon on June 14,2016, joined the rest of the World to celebrate the World Blood donor day under the theme: "Blood connects us all".

The celebration of the day in Yaounde was marked by sensitization campaigns on the importance of blood donation organized in hospitals and health centres.

The event was organized at a time where the supply of blood in most hospitals especially the Yaounde Central Hospital are experiencing a drastic drop.

At the Yaounde Central Hospital, the average percentage pint of blood needed daily is 80%, but unfortunately the supply of blood pint realized daily is constantly at 60%.

One of the Hospital’s official also explained that the percentage of voluntary blood donor is always at 15 as compared to family donors which is 80%. This according to her is because of inadequate sensitization.

Some voluntary blood donors spotted around the hospital were asked to go in for counseling and some medical tests on HIV AIDS, Hepatitis B, and C, Syphilis etc. they also have to eat before the exercise is conducted. And after donating the first pint of blood, they are free to come again after three to four months if they wish.

The world blood donor day is organized every year on 14th June to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood and to raise awareness of the need for regular blood donations to ensure the quality, safety and availability of blood and blood products for patients in need.