ZNBTS Launches ‘Ama Hero’ Donor Mobilization Campaign

The Zambia National Blood Transfusion Service (ZNBTS) has launched a campaign dubbed ‘Ama Hero,’ (I am a Hero) aimed at expanding its blood donor profile and maximizing blood donations across the country to reach the target of 400,000 units.

The Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) is collaborating with the ZNBTS and Abbott to ensure 250,000 blood donors are recruited this year, with the goal of reaching 400,000 units by 2026 to service health facilities across the country.

The campaign aims to create a unique donor recruitment initiative to address the country's needs and increase donations from 180,000 to 400,000 by 2026. This includes recruiting 250,000 new donors and 200,000 repeat donors nationwide to reach the target, ultimately reducing maternal and neonatal deaths caused by postpartum haemorrhage.

The campaign is built on a sustainable approach to recruiting blood donors, focusing on the younger generation—change-makers, young men, and women who recognize the importance of donating blood as part of their daily lives and activities.

President Hichilema’s vision is for the country to have sufficient blood stocks to support mothers in labor and other conditions, such as sickle cell disease, cancer, and critical surgeries.

Officiating at the World Blood Donor Day commemoration, represented by Health Minister Dr. Elijah Muchima at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, President Hakainde Hichilema emphasized that blood donation is one of the purest forms of human generosity and the most precious gift one human can give to another.

“My government has significantly increased its commitment and support to the Ministry of Health to ensure that no mother loses her life while giving life. In fact, this is one of my personal priorities,” President Hichilema stated.

President Hichilema acknowledged the Zambia National Blood Transfusion Service (ZNBTS) for including blood and blood products on the essential medicines list in the health sector. He stressed that blood is truly a “gift of life” and is invaluable as a life-saving therapy for individuals with various life-threatening conditions.

He further explained that blood transfusion is among the key strategies contributing to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal Number 3 and the objectives outlined in the National Health Strategic Plan 2022-2026, under reproductive health, maternal, neonatal, child health, adolescent, and nutrition programs.

Beneficiaries of donated blood include pregnant women with complications, who receive approximately 40% of the donated blood, individuals with sickle cell anemia, cancer patients, surgical cases, trauma cases due to accidents, and children under the age of five, who also receive approximately 40% and 20% of donated blood, respectively.

“I call upon all able-bodied Zambians, between the ages of 16 and 65, to make blood donation a regular part of their lives. Whether you donate once a year or every few months, every single pint of blood you give has the power to save multiple lives,” President Hichilema said.

He disclosed that Zambia has adopted a comprehensive safe blood transfusion strategy based on World Health Organization guidelines for establishing national blood transfusion systems. A key aspect of this strategy is promoting voluntary, non-remunerated blood donations from low-risk population groups as the primary source of donated blood.

The Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU), in partnership with ZNBTS, has made significant strides in strengthening blood availability and accessibility to meet national and global objectives for safe blood transfusion. Key achievements include:

- Reliance on voluntary, non-remunerated blood donations.

- Construction of 20 blood storage and distribution hubs in Zambia’s 10 provinces, with partner support, providing two blood storage hubs per province.

- Procurement of 12 blood collection vehicles to enhance blood collection operations, also with partner support.

- Increased blood collections from 110,000 units per year in 2021 to 130,000 in 2023, with projections to reach 260,000 units in 2024 and 400,000 by 2026.

- Adoption and implementation of innovative state-of-the-art technologies, including high-throughput, fully automated laboratory systems for testing infection markers in all donated blood and producing high-quality blood components for specialized medical services.

- Implementation of integrated, fully automated systems for performing therapeutic red cell exchange transfusion procedures in the treatment of sickle cell disease patients, providing them with an opportunity to live a relatively high quality of life.

- Increased funding for blood safety through the 2024 national budget to scale up blood collection activities and procure blood transfusion commodities, demonstrating full government support in 2024.

“20 Years of Celebrating Giving: Thank You, Blood Donors.”

PDU Head Kusobile Kamwambi, represented by PDU Enhanced Public Services (EPS) Delivery Manager Alfred Sakwiya, stated that blood donation is not merely a medical procedure but a lifeline.

Ms. Kamwambi noted that each unit of blood donated can save up to three lives, making it indispensable for surgeries, trauma care, cancer treatment, managing chronic conditions, and, most importantly, saving mothers during and after childbirth.

“Our mission at the PDU is to reduce maternal mortality rates from the current 278 per 100,000 live births to 100 per 100,000 live births in Zambia. This ambitious target is within our reach, and blood donation is a cornerstone of this endeavor,” Ms. Kamwambi said.

She added that maternal health is a paramount concern for the nation, noting that complications during childbirth, such as hemorrhage, are leading causes of maternal mortality. Access to safe and sufficient blood supplies can drastically reduce these risks.

This year’s World Blood Donor Day commemoration was held under the theme “20 Years of Celebrating Giving: Thank You, Blood Donors.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) has set June 14th each year to recognize and thank those who donate blood for the good of others. However, member countries are allowed to commemorate this event on any day that suits their calendar.