(Monrovia, Liberia, May 29, 2025)—The Ministry of Health (MOH), through its National Blood Safety Program, recently convened a stakeholder meeting focused on the sustainability of blood banks and transfusion centers across the country.
The meeting was held in Bong County and brought together key stakeholders, including the Bong County Health Team and the hospital administrators of both Phebe and C.B. Dunbar Hospitals. These institutions play crucial roles in ensuring blood safety and effective transfusion services. During the discussions, the blood bank manager for Region II Blood Center, Mr. Moses Dowee, outlined the essential role of safe blood in healthcare, stressing that its importance cannot be overstated. “Blood is a critical component in healthcare. You cannot underestimate its importance. That’s why we’re working closely with the County Health Teams and our health partners to develop sustainable strategies for managing hospital blood banks.
If mechanisms are not in place to replenish the supply, we risk being unprepared during emergencies,” Mr. Emmanuel Gray, C.B. Dunbar hospital lab supervisor, stated.
Several strategies were proposed to tackle the challenges facing blood availability, including family replacement and revolving donation mechanisms. Another key approach is the ‘First-In, First-Out’ system, which prioritizes the use of older blood units to minimize waste due to expiration. Families of recipients are also encouraged to donate blood in return, helping to maintain supply levels and prolong shelf life. These methods are designed to create a consistent and sustainable supply of blood at our facilities. Through collaborative efforts and strong partnerships, we can ensure that blood is always available when needed,” the Region II blood Center Manager added.
Mrs. Sowillie Lomax-Ireland, the deputy program Director of the National Blood Safety Program, highlighted strategies of engaging patients who visit facilities through health talks and also a community-based awareness approach, all aimed at increasing knowledge of voluntary, unpaid blood donations.
Dr. Onyekachi C. Subah, Program Director of the National Blood Safety Program, also disclosed that a recent blood drive conducted in Maryland County by the National Blood Safety Program with Support from the World Bank yielded 157 units. A portion of these units were airlifted to Monrovia by the Partners in Health, showing collaboration among health organizations in the country.
The National Blood Safety Program, at the end of this strategic meeting, turned over 30 safe blood units to the Bong County Health Team, with 15 units going to C.B. Dunbar Hospital and another 15 units going to Phebe Hospital, and stated that the remaining units transported by PIH would be distributed to selected health facilities in Monrovia.
The meeting concluded with the National Blood Safety Program urging all stakeholders to continue supporting the program’s initiatives and to work collectively to strengthen the sustainability of blood banks across Liberia.