OBJECTIVES

Blood collection in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) does not meet the international recommendations for the supply of blood and blood components. This research intends to map the impact of shortage of blood on general mortality and morbidity and maternal mortality in specific.

METHODS

Comprehensive literature review for selected SSA countries to (i) detect existing research on levels of investment in blood and its impact on socio-economic outcomes; (ii) assess expenditures on blood safety value chains vs health economic impact by means of budget impact calculation; (iii) obtain data on maternal mortality and morbidity. The literature review, and budget impact calculations were validated by clinical experts with direct experience in the field.

RESULTS

Shortages in the blood supply chain in the SSA directly contribute to an identified mortality rate of over 3,500 per 100,000 inhabitants. For maternal bleeding this may be as high as 550 per 100,000 inhabitants. Actual mortality rates may even be higher due to poor access to health care facilities as well as troublesome registration of health key performance indicators. Initial research for Kenya, Ghana and Ivory Coast suggests a direct correlation between investments in blood supply and post-partum hemorrhage mortality (r=-0,62, p<0.01) and overall life expectancy (r= 0.82, p<0.01). The budget impact model suggests that even considering the relatively low-income levels, the cost of lives lost outweighs the investments in the supply of blood with positive economic returns after two years.

CONCLUSIONS

Our research suggests that an increase in investment in SSA’s blood safety value chain is likely to reduce mortality and morbidity figures in the region and largely improve the economic output for countries investing in blood. Further research within targeted countries should help to further quantify the direct relationship between an increased investment in the blood value chain and improved clinical, economic and societal outcomes.