OUAGADOUGOU – A comprehensive study spearheaded by Dr. Abdoulkarim Barry confirms the high quality of blood supplies processed by Burkina Faso’s National Blood Transfusion Center (CNTS), marking a significant assurance for patient safety across the nation.
According to Burkina Information Agency, who recently earned the title of State Doctor of Pharmacy with jury commendation, the CNTS consistently delivers blood bags that meet rigorous quality standards. The thesis defense, which took place on July 13, 2024, highlighted that the blood bags distributed to patients underwent meticulous testing and showed outstanding performance across various laboratories. “After reviewing the results, we can confidently reassure the public about the quality of the blood bags departing from the CNTS,” Dr. Barry stated during his presentation.
The study, spanning from 2017 to 2023, involved an evaluation of the biological qualification laboratories of blood donations at regional transfusion centers and sampler depots through inter-laboratory control. These labs were tested for critical parameters including the presence of HIV, hepatitis B and C viruses, syphilis, and blood typing accuracy (ABO/RHD). Dr. Barry noted that the primary aim was to verify that the blood analysis from CNTS laboratories was reliable and safe for transfusion purposes.
Despite the generally satisfactory findings, Dr. Barry mentioned some instances of non-compliance due to hemolyzed blood samples that were untestable by some labs and transcription errors in result reporting. These findings were corroborated by extensive analysis conducted in multiple cities including Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso, and Koudougou.
The thesis director, Professor Mahamoudou Sanou, a bacteriology-virology expert at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, echoed the positive outcome. He emphasized the modern equipment and techniques used, such as ELISA and electrochemiluminescence, which enhance the safety of the blood by relying on sensitive and specific antigen-antibody reactions. Professor Sanou stressed the importance of maintaining high standards to prevent contamination risks to donors and recipients alike.
This study is particularly significant given the high dependency on blood transfusions by vulnerable groups such as sick individuals, children, and pregnant women, who represent 60% of the beneficiaries. With 135,818 blood bags collected in 2023 alone, the findings underscore the critical role of reliable blood services in Burkina Faso’s healthcare system.
Professor Sanou also advocated for the continued vigilance and truthful communication from blood donors regarding their health status to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the blood supply chain.