In Focus
The Benkadi Blood Project
Optimising Blood Bank Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa
Cameroon, located in Central Africa, has a population of approximately 30 million people. The national blood supply, however, remains critically insufficient.
Context
An estimated 400,000 blood units are needed annually, yet only about 35% of this demand is currently met¹,². Blood is essential in a range of medical scenarios: treating sickle cell disease, managing severe anemia (particularly in children aged 0 to 5 affected by malaria), addressing obstetric emergencies such as postpartum hemorrhage, supporting hemodialysis patients, and enabling surgeries and oncology treatments³. The National Blood Transfusion Service of Cameroon began operations in 2019. Blood is primarily collected from two types of donors. A striking 97% of donations come from “replacement donors” (family donors who give blood in response to a relative's need), while only 3% come from voluntary non-remunerated blood donors (VNRBD)4. Blood collection is restricted to authorized medical facilities, such as first- and second-category hospitals and central hospitals. This chronic shortage of safe blood leads to increased mortality rates, interruptions in essential treatments, elevated risks during critical care, and broader ethical and social dilemmas5. To address these challenges, we initiated the Benkadi Blood Project.
Figure 1. Dashboard of the Benkadi Web App
About the Benkadi Blood Project
Benkadi is a Bambara word meaning “All Together”, symbolizing the project’s collaborative and inclusive approach. Benkadi Blood – All Together for Blood is a 12-month pilot program launched in March 2025 in Douala, Cameroon. The vision is to strengthen and modernize the blood transfusion system in Douala and scale the model across other regions of Cameroon and Sub-Saharan Africa. This pilot aims to demonstrate a scalable, community-centered, and system-driven model for improving the collection, management, and distribution of blood products.
Project Objectives
- Digitalize the blood bank systems of two reference hospitals in Douala.
- Optimize operational processes to enhance blood service delivery.
- Mobilize donors through targeted awareness campaigns.
- Promote research and advocacy to inform policy and inspire change.
Target Results
- Collect 15,000 voluntary blood donations in 12 months.
- Register 4,000–5,000 regular VNRBDs.
- Deploy a full digital donor management system in two hospitals.
- Establish 10 corporate partnerships to support blood donors and staff.
- Strengthen public awareness through media and outreach.
- Publish evidence-based research to guide best practices in Africa.
Achievements to Date
Although the pilot phase officially began in 2025, groundwork for the Benkadi Blood initiative started in 2020.
Figure 2. Launch of the Benkadi System at the Douala Gyneco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital (HGOPED) with the media.
Since then, the team has achieved several foundational milestones:
- Cross-Country Data Analysis: We conducted a comparative assessment of transfusion systems in Cameroon and six other African countries to identify challenges and develop tailored interventions.
- Development of a Tailored Information System: A custom-built blood bank information management system was created, aligned with the operational needs of local hospitals. This system improves inventory monitoring, traceability, and data-driven decision-making⁶⁷.
- Strategic Partnerships: We signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cameroon’s National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), as well as with two leading hospitals in Douala:
- Douala Gyneco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital (HGOPED)
- Military Hospital of the Second Region (HMR2)
- System Deployment at HGOPED: The information management system has been successfully deployed at HGOPED, where it now supports donor tracking, stock management, and transfusion coordination.
- Engagement in Global Platforms: The Benkadi Blood team has shared its insights at several international forums, strengthening the project's network and visibility while learning from global peers.
Figure 3. Family pictured with the top management of HGOPED, the blood bank personnel, and the Director of the Military Hospital of the Second Region during the launch of the Benkadi Blood System
Conclusions
The Benkadi Blood pilot is just beginning, and much remains to be done. However, the early achievements already illustrate the project’s potential to transform blood transfusion services in Douala—and, in time, across Sub-Saharan Africa. Through innovation, partnerships, and a community-focused strategy, we believe a more equitable and efficient blood system is within reach.
References
- Djomou D. Perceptions and practices relating to blood donation and blood transfusion Cameroon. Nkafu Policy Institute; 2023.
- Less than 50% of Cameroon’s demand for blood is met annually. Cameroon News Agency. 2023.
- Blood Donation: Clear Existing Obstacles. Cameroon Tribune. 2022.
- Gadji M, Gueye YB, Motto D, et al. Seroprevalence of transfusion-transmissible infections among family replacement donors and voluntary non-remunerated blood donors during the COVID-19 pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Med J Hematol Infect Dis. 2024;16(1):e2024008.
- Ateudjieu J, Yakum M, Ngapout N, et al. Access to blood transfusion in West Cameroon. CaHReF; 2016.
- Gustavo de Carvalho Duarte et al. Implementation of a patient blood management program based on a low-income country–adapted clinical decision support system. Hematol Transfus Cell Ther. 2022 Jul-Sep;44(3):374-378
- Baber J, Kiehntopf M, Arrighi N, Hofman J. Digitalization and biobanking in LMICs: benefits and challenges. In: Biobank Digitization in LMICs. Springer; 2023.
