Harmonizing the Blood collection system is one of the major reforms the National Blood Transfusion Service is embarking on to address blood collection problems in Cameroon.

The General Manager of the NBTS, Prof. Dora Mbanya disclosed the information to media professionals on June 1, while chairing the press briefing in prelude to the annual observance slated for June 14 across the globe. 

Representatives of blood donor associations, civil society organizations, other partners and media professionals were among those to whom the reforms in blood collection were rolled out. 

The 2026 World Blood Donor Day will hold in Cameroon on the theme « One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives. »

Highlighting the importance of this year’s  theme, the NTBS General Manager said

« It is a simple, but profound reality: blood donation is far more than a medical act. It’s an act of humanity. It’s an expression of solidarity between citizens who may never meet, but whose lives become connected through a single gesture, » Prof Mbanya said. 

En route to a Robust Blood Collection System 

One of the major reforms being implemented by the NBTS to fulfill its mission of ensuring quality blood is available and accessible in Cameroon is the harmonization of the blood collection system. This is being implemented to improve visibility of available blood resources across the country, anticipate shortages and respond promptly. 

Cameroon  requires 400,000 pints of blood annually, but currently meets only 47%, representing less than half of its annual blood needs. This has resulted in a recurrent shortage which is fueled by persistent challenges including insufficient national coverage of blood needs, low levels of voluntary unpaid blood donation, regional disparity in access to blood products, limited specialized human resources, and aging equipment and infrastructure in several blood banks . 

To change the tides in the blood collection outcomes  in Cameroon, the NBTS is banking on two recently completed strategic documents ; the National Policy on Blood Transfusion and a Strategic Plan of the National Blood Transfusion Service for 2026-2030. 

Added to this is the groundwork for a modern data system and a more structured approach to community mobilization, currently being laid down thanks to the Project to Support the Deployment of the National Blood Transfusion Service of Cameroon (PADOC),  funded by Expertise France and  launched on July 11, 2025. 

« These documents provide a coherent framework for the development of the sector and define the vision, priorities and actions required to ensure universal access to blood products, » Prof. Mbanya said.

According to the General Manager of the NBTS, the PADOC project has already ushered in significant progress in training, digitalization, governance and strengthening hospital blood banks. Less than one year after its launch, 660 health professionals have been enrolled in training programs, over 330 successfully trained and 14 blood banks equipped with blood collection equipment. 

The NTBS  will step up efforts to raise awareness about the urgent need for regular blood donation to ensure access to patients in need during commemorative activities for the World Blood Donor Day. The structure has set out a national plan to  raise awareness among at least 1million people, collect at least 4000 pints of blood, recruit at least 2000 new donors and mobilize 3,500 people for awareness walks , estimated to cost close to 270 millionFCFA. 

Commemorative activities of the  2026 World Blood Donor Day include a fitness walk on June 6, a webinar dedicated to discussing challenges affecting blood donation in Cameroon, blood donation  and awareness campaigns across the country, and a round table to identify strategies to  spur young people to voluntary donate blood. 

Kathy Neba Sina 

Développement durable : le Cameroun se tourne vers l’Economie circulaire

La cérémonie officielle de lancement de la feuille de route de cette économie circulaire a eu lieu ce 22 mai au ministère de l’Économie, de la Planification et de l’Aménagement du Territoire.

Cette rencontre marquait ainsi l’aboutissement d’un processus engagé le 22 octobre 2024, avec le lancement du projet d’élaboration de ce document stratégique grâce l’appui de la Banque Africaine de Développement (BAD).

Importance de l’économie circulaire

Face aux défis environnementaux croissants liés à l’évolution des modes de consommation et à la pression exercée sur les ressources naturelles, l’économie circulaire apparaît aujourd’hui comme une réponse adéquate. Chaque année, le Cameroun produit plus de 6 millions de tonnes de déchets, dont une part importante demeure insuffisamment collectée ou valorisée, avec des répercussions sur l’environnement, la santé publique et le cadre de vie des populations.

Une feuille de route stratégique

Il s’agit d’un instrument destiné à accompagner la transition du Cameroun vers un modèle économique plus durable, créateur de richesses, d’emplois verts et résilient face aux changements climatiques.

Elle vise notamment à :

-Optimiser les processus de production, en valorisant davantage les matières premières;

-Renforcer les systèmes de collecte et de gestion durable des déchets ;

-Stimuler les investissements dans les secteurs à fort potentiel circulaire ;

-Favoriser la création d’emplois verts et inclusifs, notamment pour les jeunes et les femmes ;

-Contribuer à la résilience climatique, conformément aux engagements du Cameroun en matière de réduction des émissions de gaz à effet de serre.

Par cette démarche, le Cameroun et son partenaire la Banque Africaine de Développement, réaffirment leur engagement à promouvoir des politiques publiques innovantes, capables de concilier croissance économique, préservation de l’environnement et amélioration durable des conditions de vie des populations.

Aline-Florence Nguini