To boost nationwide donation: Blood transfusion service launches PADOC project.

It was launched by the National Blood Transfusion Service, NBTS, on Friday, July 11, in Yaounde.

The Technical Advisor No.2 at the Ministry of Public Health, Prof Joseph Mendimi Nkodo, chaired the launching ceremony on behalf of the Minister of Public Health, Dr Manaouda Malachie.

Prof Mendimi expressed gratitude to Expertise France and other partners for their support in public health. He said the aid will improve on the lapses the healthcare system faces concerning blood donation and transfusion.

“The PADOC Project…constitutes a coherent and pragmatic response, designed to strengthen the operational link of the national transfusion system,” Prof Mendimi stated.

He said the project received presidential approval on May 26, 2025, and aligns with the French Embassy’s strategic priorities in Cameroon, which include a strong political will to prioritise blood transfusion in Cameroon, among others.

Prof Mendimi further stressed that PADOC’s success will depend on institutional ownership, the involvement of hospital structures, the professionalism of health workers, and renewed public trust in blood donation.

“I therefore call on the management of the health facilities concerned to rigorously support the implementation process, laboratory technicians, to demonstrate professionalism, ethics, and commitment, communities, civil society organisations, and local leaders, to actively spread the message of regular voluntary donation,” Prof Mendimi concluded.

Enter French Ambassador's representative

Political Counsellor at the French Embassy, Cusey Damien, representing the French Ambassador, reiterated France's commitment to supporting Cameroon's public health priorities through co-construction, expertise sharing, and solidarity. 

He highlighted the project's objective to reduce the risk of blood-transmissible infections by strengthening the capacity of the NBTS and hospital blood banks in six regions of Cameroon, focusing on training human and technical resources.

“We know that health is a precious asset at the heart of human development and health care. I wish you full success in the implementation of this project,” Cusey underscored.

Enter NBTS Director General

The Director General of the NBTS, Prof Dora Mbanya, expressed gratitude to Expertise France for the support through the PADOC project. 

She explained that it is a targeted operational and measurable response to some challenges the country faces, notably structural deficit in blood supply, reliance on family donors, and persistent shortages in qualified personnel, equipment for biological qualification, cold chain management, and transport logistics.

“The project covers various activities in the blood transfusion chain. The chain naturally starts with encouraging blood donation from donors, so we need to be able to promote donations, test blood properly, store it correctly, and distribute it efficiently,” she stated.

According to her, the NBTS carried out a previous project that involved mapping about 902 civil society organisations focused on health, specifically blood transfusion and donation, to identify key areas for blood collection. 

PADOC, she said, will focus on training these organisations, NBTS technicians, and blood bank specialists across the country so they can train others in their respective institutions and communities. 

This, Prof Mbanya added, will enhance the overall quality of staff in blood transfusion services and blood banks.

"Blood is not manufactured. It is given. But to save a life, it must be available, safe, accessible and well used," Prof Mbanya concluded.

About PADOC

The PADOC project, with a funding amount of 1.3 Euros, about 852.8 million FCFA, from Expertise France, is being implemented by the NBTS, with technical collaboration from partners.

The project addresses Cameroon’s vulnerable transfusion system, where 80% of donations come from replacement donors rather than voluntary, unremunerated donors. 

It will boost the blood donation drive in six regions of the country viz; the Centre, South, East, Adamawa, North and Far North. 

It will also support community mobilisation for voluntary blood donation, with the support of Civil Society Organisations in six pilot cities, Yaounde, Ebolowa, Bertoua, Ngaoundere, Garoua, and Maroua.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3504 of Tuesday July 15, 2025