Blood transfusion in sub-Saharan Africa: understanding the missing gap and responding to present and future challenges
Open accessAbstract
Blood transfusion in sub‐Saharan Africa ( SSA ) is at a crossroad. Significant recent developments may help meet local needs in safe blood products and fulfil a global health target, as highlighted by the World Health Organization ( WHO ) Millennium and Sustainable Development Goals, in improving supply and safety, and ensuring the gradual implementation of selective haemotherapy. When WHO recommended the evaluation of convalescent blood or plasma to treat Ebola‐infected patients during the recent epidemics, substantial gaps in local blood collection, testing and technology infrastructure and safety, as compared to best accepted quality standards, became evident. This evidence should now serve as an ‘electro‐shock’/awakening call used to highlight the needs for local governments to support National Blood Transfusion Services and establish robust national regulatory authorities that are mandated to bear regulatory responsibilities of blood establishments. A nationally co‐ordinated blood programme is the best tool to gather reliable epidemiological data, address local needs in blood and blood products and serve public health. A literature review using WHO website and PubMed was conducted in this article to outline the current clinical use of blood products and plasma derivatives in SSA . This text also intends to highlight the gaps to be filled in the coming years with respect to quality, safety, supply and efficacy of blood and plasma products, in line with WHO guidelines for transfusion.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Ebola virus disease in West Africa—the first 9 months of the epidemic and forward projections
WHO Ebola Response Team (2014) · New England Journal of Medicine · doi:10.1056/nejmoa1411100 · Cited by 1,674 · see citing works
Evaluation of Convalescent Plasma for Ebola Virus Disease in Guinea
van Griensven, J., Edwards, T., de Lamballerie, X. N., Semple, M. G., Gallian, P., Baize, S., Horby, P., Raoul, H., Magassouba, N., Antierens, A., et al. (2016) · New England Journal of Medicine · doi:10.1056/nejmoa1511812 · Cited by 533 · see citing works
Treatment of Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever with Blood Transfusions from Convalescent Patients
Mupapa, K., Massamba, M., Kibadi, K., et al. (1999) · The Journal of Infectious Diseases · doi:10.1086/514298 · Cited by 421 · see citing works
Convalescent plasma: new evidence for an old therapeutic tool?
Marano, G., Vaglio, S., Pupella, S., et al. (2016) · PubMed · doi:10.2450/2015.0131-15 · Cited by 323 · see citing works
Bloch, E. M., Vermeulen, M., & Murphy, E. L. (2011) · Transfusion Medicine Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.tmrv.2011.07.006 · Cited by 205 · see citing works
Dhabangi, A., Ainomugisha, B., Cserti-Gazdewich, C. M., Ddungu, H., Kyeyune, D., Musisi, E., Opoka, R. O., Stowell, C. P., & Dzik, S. (2015) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.2015.13977 · Cited by 189 · see citing works
Overview of blood components and their preparation
Basu, D., & Kulkarni, R. (2014) · Indian Journal of Anaesthesia · doi:10.4103/0019-5049.144647 · Cited by 169 · see citing works
Blood safety in Sub‐Saharan Africa: a multi‐factorial problem
Tagny, C. T., Mbanya, D., Tapko, J., et al. (2008) · Transfusion · doi:10.1111/j.1537-2995.2008.01697.x · Cited by 146 · see citing works
Self-citationAllain, J., Owusu-Ofori, A. K., Assennato, S. M., et al. (2016) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(16)00581-x · Cited by 132 · see citing works
Erhabor, O., & Adias, T. C. (2011) · Journal of Blood Medicine · doi:10.2147/jbm.s17194 · Cited by 128 · see citing works
Evaluation of convalescent whole blood for treating Ebola Virus Disease in Freetown, Sierra Leone
Sahr, F., Ansumana, R., Massaquoi, T. A., Idriss, B. R., Sesay, F. R., Lamin, J. M., Baker, S., Nicol, S., Conton, B., Johnson, W. R., et al. (2016) · Journal of Infection · doi:10.1016/j.jinf.2016.11.009 · Cited by 121 · see citing works
Efficacy of Convalescent Plasma in Relation to Dose of Ebola Virus Antibodies
van Griensven, J., Edwards, T., & Baize, S. (2016) · New England Journal of Medicine · doi:10.1056/nejmc1609116 · Cited by 105 · see citing works
Kajeguka, D. C., Kaaya, R. D., Mwakalinga, S., et al. (2016) · BMC Infectious Diseases · doi:10.1186/s12879-016-1511-5 · Cited by 103 · see citing works
Characteristics of blood donors and donated blood in sub‐Saharan Francophone Africa
Tagny, C. T., Diarra, A. B., Yahaya, R., et al. (2009) · Transfusion · doi:10.1111/j.1537-2995.2009.02137.x · Cited by 96 · see citing works
Self-citationAsamoah‐Akuoko, L., Hassall, O., Bates, I., & Ullum, H. (2017) · British Journal of Haematology · doi:10.1111/bjh.14588 · Cited by 94 · see citing works
Reducing replacement donors in Sub‐Saharan Africa: challenges and affordability
Bates, I., Manyasi, G., & Lara, A. M. (2007) · Transfusion Medicine · doi:10.1111/j.1365-3148.2007.00798.x · Cited by 90 · see citing works
External Financial Aid to Blood Transfusion Services in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Need for Reflection
Ala, F., Allain, J., Bates, I., et al. (2012) · PLoS Medicine · doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1001309 · Cited by 81 · see citing works
Fast, L. D., Nevola, M., Tavares, J., et al. (2012) · Transfusion · doi:10.1111/j.1537-2995.2012.03715.x · Cited by 76 · see citing works
Drew, V. J., Barro, L., Seghatchian, J., et al. (2017) · PubMed · doi:10.2450/2017.0344-16 · Cited by 71 · see citing works
Self-citationLaboratory costs of a hospital-based blood transfusion service in Malawi
Lara, A. M., Kandulu, J., Chisuwo, L., Kashoti, A., Mundy, C., & Bates, I. (2007) · Journal of Clinical Pathology · doi:10.1136/jcp.2006.042309 · Cited by 68 · see citing works
The blood supply in Sub-Saharan Africa: Needs, challenges, and solutions
Lund, T. C., Hume, H. A., Allain, J. P., et al. (2013) · Transfusion and Apheresis Science · doi:10.1016/j.transci.2013.06.014 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Laperche, S. (2012) · Transfusion · doi:10.1111/j.1537-2995.2012.03797.x · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Nebie, K. Y., Olinger, C. M., Kafando, É., et al. (2007) · Transfusion Clinique et Biologique · doi:10.1016/j.tracli.2007.12.005 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Family donors are critical and legitimate in developing countries
Allain, J., & Sibinga, C. T. S. (2015) · Asian Journal of Transfusion Science · doi:10.4103/0973-6247.164270 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
The effect of blood transfusion on brain oxygenation in children with severe traumatic brain injury*
Figaji, A. A., Zwane, E. N., Kogels, M., et al. (2009) · Pediatric Critical Care Medicine · doi:10.1097/pcc.0b013e3181b80a8e · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Ware, A. D., Jacquot, C., Tobian, A. A. R., et al. (2017) · Vox Sanguinis · doi:10.1111/vox.12620 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
A study of blood transfusion services at a district hospital in Malawi
Bugge, H. F., Karlsen, N. C., Øydna, E., Rake, M. M., Wexels, N., Bendabenda, J., Roald, B., Heier, H. E., Chisuwo, L., & Jourdan, P. M. (2012) · Vox Sanguinis · doi:10.1111/j.1423-0410.2012.01628.x · Cited by 48 · see citing works
The use of convalescent plasma to treat emerging infectious diseases
Winkler, A. M., & Koepsell, S. A. (2015) · Current Opinion in Hematology · doi:10.1097/moh.0000000000000191 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Pathogen reduction of whole blood: utility and feasibility
Allain, J., & Goodrich, R. P. (2017) · Transfusion Medicine · doi:10.1111/tme.12456 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Bloch, E. M., Shah, A. D., Kaidarova, Z., et al. (2014) · Vox Sanguinis · doi:10.1111/vox.12182 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
History of Blood Transfusion in Sub-Saharan Africa
Schneider, W. H. (2012) · Transfusion Medicine Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.tmrv.2012.08.001 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Profiles of blood and blood component transfusion recipients in Zimbabwe.
Mafirakureva, N., Khoza, S., Hassall, O., et al. (2015) · PubMed · doi:10.2450/2015.0019-15 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Blood utilization at a national referral hospital in sub‐Saharan Africa
Butler, E. K., Hume, H., Birungi, I., et al. (2015) · Transfusion · doi:10.1111/trf.13010 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Avent, M. L. (2002) · Journal of Tropical Pediatrics · doi:10.1093/tropej/48.4.227 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Interference studies: focus on blood cell lysates preparation and testing.
Lippi, G. (2012) · PubMed · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Ugwu, N., Awodu, O. A., Bazuaye, G., et al. (2015) · Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice · doi:10.4103/1119-3077.154204 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Dhabangi, A., Ainomugisha, B., Cserti-Gazdewich, C., Ddungu, H., Kyeyune, D., Musisi, E., Opoka, R., Stowell, C. P., & Dzik, W. H. (2016) · JAMA Pediatrics · doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2016.1254 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Transfusion research priorities for blood services in sub‐Saharan Africa
Bates, I., Hassall, O., & Mapako, T. (2017) · British Journal of Haematology · doi:10.1111/bjh.14577 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Pitman, J. P., Wilkinson, R., Liu, Y., von Finckenstein, B., Sibinga, C. T. S., Lowrance, D. W., Marfin, A. A., Postma, M. J., Mataranyika, M., & Basavaraju, S. V. (2014) · Transfusion Medicine Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.tmrv.2014.11.003 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Ebola: a call for blood transfusion strategy in sub-Saharan Africa
Burnouf, T., Emmanuel, J., Mbanya, D., et al. (2014) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(14)61693-7 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Self-citationTambo, E., Chuisseu, P. D. D., Ngogang, J. Y., & Khater, E. I. M. (2016) · Journal of Infection and Public Health · doi:10.1016/j.jiph.2016.02.005 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Convalescent Plasma for Ebola Virus Disease
van Griensven, J., Edwards, T., & Gallian, P. (2016) · New England Journal of Medicine · doi:10.1056/nejmc1602284 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
One year clinical audit of the use of blood and blood components at a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.
Arewa, O. (2009) · PubMed · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Recruitment of blood donors in Burkina Faso: how to avoid donations from family members?
Dahourou, H., Tapko, J., Kiénou, K., et al. (2010) · Biologicals · doi:10.1016/j.biologicals.2009.10.017 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Edwards, T., Semple, M. G., Weggheleire, A. D., et al. (2016) · Clinical Trials · doi:10.1177/1740774515621056 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Nkohkwo, A., Agbor, G. A., Asongalem, E. A., et al. (2016) · African Journal of Laboratory Medicine · doi:10.4102/ajlm.v5i1.363 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Bloch, E. M., Crookes, R. L., Hull, J., et al. (2015) · Transfusion · doi:10.1111/trf.13040 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Osei, E., Odoi, A. T., Owusu‐Ofori, S., et al. (2013) · Transfusion Medicine · doi:10.1111/tme.12028 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Self-citationApheresis for collection of Ebola convalescent plasma in Liberia
Brown, J., Rowe, K., Zacharias, P., et al. (2016) · Journal of Clinical Apheresis · doi:10.1002/jca.21482 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Clinical use of blood, blood components and blood products.
Blajchman, M. A., Shepherd, F. A., & Perrault, R. A. (1979) · PubMed · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Sonnekus, P. H., Louw, V. J., Ackermann, A. M., et al. (2014) · Transfusion and Apheresis Science · doi:10.1016/j.transci.2014.10.011 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
van den Berg, K., Murphy, E. L., Pretorius, L., et al. (2014) · Transfusion and Apheresis Science · doi:10.1016/j.transci.2014.10.012 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Blood collection to cover national needs in sub-Saharan Africa: the reality of the Ivory Coast.
Diané, M. K., Dembelé, B., & Konaté, S. (2014) · PubMed · doi:10.2450/2014.0101-14 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Pitman, J. P., Basavaraju, S. V., Shiraishi, R. W., et al. (2015) · Transfusion · doi:10.1111/trf.13049 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Joubert, J., Joubert, S., Raubenheimer, J., et al. (2014) · Transfusion and Apheresis Science · doi:10.1016/j.transci.2014.10.013 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Joubert, S., Bosman, M., Joubert, G., et al. (2013) · Transfusion and Apheresis Science · doi:10.1016/j.transci.2013.04.037 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Mamoudou, S., & Boushab, B. M. (2016) · Pan African Medical Journal · doi:10.11604/pamj.2016.23.168.9234 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Convalescent Plasma and the Dose of Ebola Virus Antibodies
Burnouf, T., Dye, J. M., & Abayomi, A. (2017) · New England Journal of Medicine · doi:10.1056/nejmc1700090 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Self-citationBlood donation patterns and challenges in Southern Africa
Reddy, R. (2012) · ISBT Science Series · doi:10.1111/j.1751-2824.2012.01576.x · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Sawadogo, S., Nebie, K., Kafando, É., et al. (2016) · International Journal of Blood Transfusion and Immunohematology · doi:10.5348/ijbti-2016-25-oa-5 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Prevention of transfusion‐transmitted malaria
Owusu‐Ofori, S., Allain, J., & Owusu-Ofori, A. K. (2016) · ISBT Science Series · doi:10.1111/voxs.12338 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Self-citationAkinbami, A., Dosunmu, A., Oshinaike, O. O., et al. (2011) · Nigerian Postgraduate Medical Journal · doi:10.4103/1117-1936.170502 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 2
- [3]3. Allain JP, Goodrich R: Pathogen reduc- tion of whole blood: utility and feasi- bility. Transfus Med 2017; 27:320-326
- [21]21. Ashraf T, Sibinga SC: Blood donation and donor motivation in oman-achiev- ing 100% voluntary non-remunerated blood donation. Vox Sang 2012; 103:92 64 Anonymous: Blood transfusion safety. Geneva, World Health Organisation, 2017. Epub ahead of print [http:// www.who.int/bloodsafety/en/] [Last accessed 25 June 2017]
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Nisingizwe, M. P., Ndishimye, P., Swaibu, K., Nshimiyimana, L., Karame, P., Dushimiyimana, V., Musabyimana, J. P., Musanabaganwa, C., Nsanzimana, S., & Law, M. R. (2022) · The Lancet Global Health · doi:10.1016/s2214-109x(22)00048-1 · Cited by 175 · see citing works
- Authors
- Barro, L., Drew, V. J., Poda, G. G., Tagny, C. T., El‐Ekiaby, M., Owusu‐Ofori, S., & Burnouf, T.
- Affiliations
- Taipei Medical University (TW)
- Ministère De La Santé (BF)
- Université de Yaoundé I (CM)
- Shabrawishi Hospital Blood Center Dokki Cairo Egypt
- Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (GH)
- Corresponding author
- Burnouf, Thierry
- ORCID
- Venue
- Vox Sanguinis
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2018-09-16
- Volume
- 113
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 726-736
- ISSN
- 0042-9007 (ISSN-L)
- 1423-0410
- OpenAlex
- W2890049245
- Cited by
- 92
- References
- 62
- Citations by year
- 2026: 16 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 6
- FWCI
- 1.33
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Vox Sanguinis (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Management of Technology and Innovation › Blood donation and transfusion practices
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry › Blood transfusion and management
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Clinical Laboratory Practices and Quality Control
- Keywords
- blood transfusion, sub-Saharan Africa, transfusion safety, blood supply, plasma derivatives, convalescent plasma, Ebola virus disease, blood transfusion services, Sustainable Development Goals, Millennium Development Goals
- MeSH terms
- Blood Donors, Blood Transfusion, Humans, World Health Organization, Africa South of the Sahara, Blood Safety
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
