The Côte d'Ivoire National Blood Transfusion Centre (CNTS-CI) recently celebrated its 75th anniversary, with the regional health authorities in Gontougo mobilizing the local community to promote regular blood donation. Dr. Akaffou Anney Julienne, the regional director of health, hygiene, and disease coverage in Gontougo, called on local leaders, youth groups, and women's organizations to encourage their communities to donate blood regularly.
The celebration, which took place at the Bondoukou Regional Blood Transfusion Centre (CRTS), aimed to promote a culture of regular blood donation in the region. Dr. Akaffou Anney Julienne emphasized that donating blood is a civic gesture that contributes to the collective health of the community. She also reaffirmed the regional health department's commitment to supporting the CRTS in modernizing its equipment and strengthening its staff's skills.
The representative of the regional prefect, Loan Constant, highlighted the importance of solidarity in blood transfusion services. He noted that blood cannot be manufactured or replaced by medication and encouraged everyone to donate blood regularly. The goal, set by the CNTS, is to have 100,000 regular donors making at least three donations per year by 2027.
Côte d'Ivoire's national blood transfusion network has grown significantly, from two structures at its inception to 45 structures expected by the end of 2026. The country has made notable progress in meeting its national blood product needs, with a coverage rate of 103% in 2025, up from 37% in 2000. This progress is reflected in the over 309,000 blood pouches collected in 2025.
The Bondoukou Regional Hospital's director, Adolph Segba Bahi, announced the upcoming launch of the CRTS laboratory, which will enable local testing of collected blood pouches. This new infrastructure will eliminate the need to transport products to Abengourou for testing, streamlining the process and strengthening the centre's technical capabilities.
As part of the 75th-anniversary celebrations, the CRTS de Bondoukou is organizing a blood collection campaign from September 29 to October 1, 2026. The campaign aims to boost available blood reserves and is open to both regular and new donors. Dr. Tchimou Boris, the CRTS de Bondoukou's director, called on the community to participate in this effort to improve the availability of blood products for patients in Gontougo and surrounding regions.
The celebration and campaign reflect the ongoing efforts to strengthen Côte d'Ivoire's blood transfusion services. With a focus on promoting regular blood donation and improving infrastructure, the CNTS-CI aims to ensure a stable and sufficient supply of blood products for the country's healthcare needs.
Key points
- Côte d'Ivoire's blood transfusion network has grown from 2 to 45 structures since its inception.
- The country aims to have 100,000 regular blood donors by 2027.
- Côte d'Ivoire's blood product coverage rate reached 103% in 2025.
