Bridging the Gap Between Blood Supply and Demand in Zambia: Integrating Institutional Capacity with Community Realities

Problem Statement According to data from the Zambia National Blood Transfusion Service (ZNBTS), Zambia collected about 130,000 units of blood in 2023, roughly half of the national target of 260,000 units set for 2024 (1,2,13), despite blood being categorised as an “Essential Medicine.” Despite the expansion of blood storage infrastructure to 20 blood hubs (two per province) alongside the 10 provincial blood centres (13), reliance on a seasonal donor pool (secondary school students), which contributes to over 30% of all blood donations in Zambia (3-4), creates supply volatility during school holidays, contributing to emergency social media appeals or replacement donations by families. Inadequate availability of safe blood may delay emergency transfusion and compromise the management of obstetric haemorrhage, trauma and other conditions requiring transfusion (5). Public reluctance to donate blood is driven by systemic barriers, including logistical inconveniences, uncertainty about where and when to donate, misconceptions and fear of adverse effects, as well as limited communication and donor follow-up where needed (3).