Photo of the week : blood is lacking at the regional blood transfusion center in the south

Health officials in the southern provinces of Burundi fear for patients lacking blood donations, including patients suffering from anemia. Health officials speak of a very alarming situation. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

According to sources in public and private hospitals, there has been a lack of blood in the stocks of the regional blood transfusion center in Bururi for more than 2 weeks.

Anemic patients cannot find blood to transfuse them, as explained by health professionals in the provinces of Bururi, Makamba, Rutana and Rumonge in the southwest and southeast, who obtain their supplies from this regional blood transfusion center established in Bururi.

Although they do not specify the number of people who have already died due to this lack of blood, they explain that this situation has already claimed victims in some health facilities.

At Makamba hospital, employees who requested anonymity told SOS Médias Burundi that since last week, there have been several cases of women who have given birth, children and other patients suffering from anemia who have not been able to get blood.

Ambulances from various health districts that go to the regional blood transfusion center return empty-handed or receive pots of blood intended for at most five people, while patients who need it exceed dozens.

This is also confirmed by patients and nurses contacted in different provinces in this region of Burundi.

They deplore that “doctors prescribe us syrups or tablets, but these cannot replace blood.”

Health officials indicate that victims could exceed the current case numbers if nothing is done immediately.

Employees of the National Blood Transfusion Center, CNTS, say that this situation is widespread throughout the country.

They explain that “this blood shortage is due to the holidays of pupils who were for the most part the first blood donors at the national level.”

But this is disputed by health professionals who explain that “the National Blood Transfusion Center should take precautions because this holiday period is known in advance.”

Our photo: a health worker collecting blood for health facilities in Burundi during a donation campaign of blood ©SOS Médias Burundi