Integrated Blood Donor Data Base Management System - Zambia

This project started in July 2008 and will develop and implement a computer based Blood Donor Tracking System. This system is developed for the staff of the Zambian Blood Transfusion Services (ZBTS) and will reduce the risks of incorrectly identifying donors and blood units. Repeat donors can effectively be tracked and a reliable pool of regular repeat blood donors is established. It ensures blood safety through accurate labelling and identification of blood units at every stage. The database will be developed with open source software (software without licence costs). More than 17,000 blood donators and patients in need of a blood transfusion benefit from the Blood Donor Tracking System.

In Zambia, blood safety is among the priority medical interventions that are expected to significantly contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The blood donor management system relates especially to child and maternal health, fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic, TB and malaria. Since 1998, Zambia has made significant achievements towards the establishment of a comprehensive, nationally coordinated blood safety system, based on the WHO guidelines on the organisation and management of national blood safety programmes. With the old paper based donor system all donors even the regular ones, had to fill out new registration forms, because the old forms were not stored in an accessible way. With the new donor tracking system retention of reliable blood donors, from low risk population groups will be easier.

Read more about IICD’s Zambia Country Programme.

The project has trained staff members in basic ICT in collaboration with e-Brain Technical Support Group.

Interview with Mr Bright Mulenga, ZNBTS

• To develop and maintain an appropriate integrated blood donor tracing database system for the efficient and effective recording and management of blood donor data and blood donor retention
• To improve the quality of recording and management of information about blood donors. This facilitates the effective tracking of repeat blood donors and the establishment of a reliable pool of regular repeat blood donors
• To improve the accuracy, efficiency and effectiveness of tracking information on blood donations, from “Vein to Vein” and ensure blood safety through accurate labelling and identification of blood units at every stage
• To ensure sustainability through capacity building, staff skills training and the integration of the project into the plan and operations of Zambian Blood Transfusion Services (ZBTS)

Voluntary non-remunerated blood donors are the main source of blood donations.

Read more about IICD's approach towards Health.

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Interview with mr Alex Chikwese, ZNBTS

The Zambia National Blood Transfusion Service (ZNBTS) is the institution mandated by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to coordinate and manage the national blood transfusion programme.