Rwanda accelerates efforts to end blood expiry

RWANDA – The Rwandan government has stepped up its efforts towards a more efficient and sustainable blood donation system, with the ambitious goal of completely eliminating blood expiry within the next two years.

This initiative, spearheaded by the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), aims to reduce the current 1% expiry rate to zero through a series of targeted improvements in logistics, technology, and strategy.

One of the major hurdles in timely blood delivery, particularly in urban areas, is traffic congestion. To combat this, the government plans to introduce electric motorcycles for blood transportation starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. These bikes are expected to bypass traffic jams, drastically cutting down delivery times.

Dr. Thomas Muyombo, Director of the Regional Centre for Blood Transfusion at RBC, highlighted the critical need for quick access to blood, especially during emergencies.

He emphasized that these electric motorcycles will not only enhance delivery speed but also align with environmental goals by offering a clean and safe method of transporting blood products.

 While drones are already utilized for deliveries to remote rural hospitals, this new initiative focuses on overcoming urban logistical challenges.

Improving donor retention, particularly among younger demographics, is another key aspect of Rwanda’s strategy. In 2023, RBC launched the Intwari Club 25, an initiative designed to encourage members to donate blood at least 25 times in their lifetime.

Moise Tuyishimire, RBC’s Blood and Cornea Donor Recruitment Specialist, underscored the long-term contribution potential of young donors, making their continued participation vital.

By 2024, the club had already amassed 469 active members who collectively donated 515 units of blood, contributing to the national total of over 84,000 units collected that year.

To streamline the entire donation process, RBC is implementing a new digitized blood management system, expected to be fully operational within the next two years.

This system will empower donors to self-register, schedule appointments, and receive real-time reminders, ultimately reducing waiting times and improving follow-up.

Dr. Muyombo noted that this digitization will also enable faster mobilization of previous donors during emergencies.

Furthermore, a dedicated call center will be established to coordinate urgent requests, track rare blood types, and help reduce overall logistical costs.

The fourth initiative centers on a proactive approach to blood collection, matching it with anticipated demand rather than reacting to immediate needs.

RBC will forecast blood requirements based on scheduled surgeries and seasonal risks, such as increased accidents during holidays, ensuring sufficient supply without excess that could lead to expiry.

At a recent World Blood Donor Day event in Musanze District, Northern Province Governor Maurice Mugabowagahunde stressed the importance of prevention.

He highlighted efforts to promote healthy lifestyles, good nutrition, and accident prevention to lessen the overall need for blood transfusions.

Dr. Solange Mukeshimana Kagemanyi, a healthcare provider, added that managing non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes also contributes to reducing transfusion demands by keeping patients healthier.

Regarding blood product storage, plasma can be frozen and maintained for up to 12 months, making it the longest-lasting product. In contrast, platelets have a lifespan of only five days, red blood cells last between 35 and 42 days, and whole blood can be stored for up to 35 days.

In 2024, RBC successfully collected 84,383 units of blood from 58,688 donors. Men accounted for over 70% of donations, while women contributed approximately 30%. The majority of donors, an impressive 65.3%, were young individuals aged 18 to 25.

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