Blood Coalition for Africa launched to address health challenge

Public and private sector stakeholders in sub-Saharan Africa have come together to launch the Coalition of Blood for Africa (CoBA) on a virtual platform.

This development reflects a growing consensus that progress towards adequate, safe and sustainable blood in Africa requires multi-stakeholder, multiple and innovative approaches to impacting lives across the continent.

The coalition brings together an unprecedented range of health experts, including public sector research institutes, ministries of health, academia, non-profit research and development organizations.

Other stakeholders are NGOs, international organizations and funders who are all committed to finding solutions to the challenges facing access to safe, sustainable blood in Africa.

Antoinette Gawin, President and CEO of Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies, said: ‘The aim of the coalition is to support the commitments of the World Health Organization [WHA63.12] and join our global mission to serve more patients. Providing secure access to blood in Africa is one way to achieve this.

“The World Health Organization (WHO) states that the number of units of blood needed to maintain an adequate level of health is equal to 1% of a country’s population – ten units per 1000 people. Yet there are many African countries that do not have the The lack of infrastructure and equipment for the collection and processing of blood components is a major obstacle to the provision of a sustainable blood supply. “Sustainability and sufficient blood continue to be important health challenges in many African countries.”

Global Blood Fund CEO Gavin Evans added: “The scale of the challenge is clearly beyond the reach of a single organization and I am confident that the coalition will facilitate a coordinated approach to the challenges facing blood in Africa. to tackle, tackle and find sustainable solutions. “

The launch of CoBA was convened by Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies, a world leader in blood component, therapeutic apheresis and cell technology, in collaboration with Global Blood Fund, Africa Practice, Africa Health Business and Siemens Healthineers.

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