ZORGHOU, Ganzourgou — On July 22, 2024, the Zorgho health district, led by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Delphin Kaboré, launched a significant blood collection campaign at the Health and Social Promotion Center of Boudry. The campaign, supported by the Sanbrado Mining Company (SOMISA), targets the collection of 1,000 blood bags during the winter season to address the increased demand for blood products, mainly due to malaria, dengue fever, and complicated childbirth cases.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Zorgho hospital has faced a critical shortage, evacuating three to four patients daily to higher medical facilities over the past three years. He noted that 75 to 80% of these evacuations stem from the lack of available blood products. In response, the district has organized blood drives at local gathering places such as mosques, churches, and schools. “With students, who are major contributors, on vacation, the challenge of maintaining blood supplies is intensifying,” Dr. Kaboré explained.
The campaign has also faced financial hurdles, particularly covering the cost of snacks provided to donors post-donation, a customary practice to help maintain donor health and encourage repeat donations. To mitigate these costs, Dr. Kaboré sought support from SOMISA, which agreed to sponsor meals for 1,000 donors this season.
Assane Ouédraogo, SOMISA’s Director of Community Relations, emphasized the mining company’s commitment to supporting health initiatives, particularly in light of the seasonal rise in malaria cases. He disclosed plans for future collaboration with the health district for on-site blood collections at the mining facility.
The campaign began successfully with the collection of 43 blood bags on its first day, supported by contributions from mine staff and local residents. Among the donors, Latifatou Kaboré expressed her motivation for participating: “I donated blood to help save lives, especially those of women in childbirth and children suffering from malaria.”
The drive will continue in the coming weeks, expanding to other areas including Boéna, Wayalgui, Nédogo, Mogtédo, Méguet, and Zorgho. Dr. Kaboré has planned a phased collection approach to meet the target of 1,000 bags throughout the winter season. He urged widespread community participation and highlighted the ongoing need for malaria prevention measures, such as using treated mosquito nets and participating in the upcoming seasonal malaria chemoprevention campaign.