Rwanda has taken a trans formative step in healthcare by launching an innovative digital platform that is reshaping the blood donation experience across the country. Thanks to the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), booking a blood donation is now fast, efficient, and accessible to everyone from the heart of Kigali to the remotest districts.
In 2023, the RBC’s Blood Transfusion Division introduced the Blood Bank Management System (BBMS), a comprehensive, internet-based solution connecting all 30 districts, five regional blood centres, four national referral hospitals, and 80 healthcare facilities. The system enables voluntary donors to schedule appointments online and allows hospitals to monitor blood stocks in real time.
Dr. Thomas Muyombo, Director of Kigali’s Regional Center for Blood Transfusion, explained that the BBMS allows anyone aged 18–60 and weighing at least 50 kilograms to register and donate blood more conveniently than ever before. Healthy individuals can donate blood every 56 days and platelets every 14 days, up to 24 times a year.
This digital innovation has already shown impressive results. In 2023, Rwanda collected 86,812 units of blood up from 78,838 in 2022 approaching the World Health Organisation’s target of 10 donations per 1,000 people. With a fulfilment rate of over 99%, the BBMS is meeting nearly all national blood demands.
A notable feature of the BBMS is its real-time tracking. This ensures that blood nearing expiration is prioritized for use and allows fast redistribution of stocks in case of shortages, preventing waste and saving lives.
In a significant expansion, RBC partnered with Irembo in May 2024 to further enhance accessibility. The partnership gives donors digital access to advanced testing services, including screenings for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, Syphilis, Coombs, and blood group typing. Most results are available within a week.
Hospitals like Inkuru Nziza Orthopedic Specialized Hospital in Gikondo have embraced BBMS with remarkable outcomes. Previously burdened by daily logistical struggles for blood supplies, the hospital now maintains an efficient in-house blood bank. Surgeries no longer get postponed, and rare blood types like O-negative and A-negative are readily available locally.
Dr. Martin Mbarushimana and lab scientist Rebecca Ishimwe confirmed the dramatic improvements in both patient care and resource management since the adoption of BBMS. They now conduct more surgeries, meet transfusion needs promptly, and minimize blood waste.
As Rwanda continues to innovate in healthcare, the BBMS stands as a model of digital transformation in public health. It ensures timely access to life-saving blood, promotes voluntary donation, and enhances national readiness for emergencies. This groundbreaking system is a testament to Rwanda’s forward-looking approach in health and technology.
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