BTD

(Blood Transfusion Division)

Background of blood transfusion services in Rwanda

An effective blood transfusion service is one of the essential components of a good HCS (Health Care System). In Rwanda, BTD (Blood Transfusion Division) was established in 1976 after WHO (World Health Organization) recommended that all nations should have functional blood transfusion establishment.

In 2007, BTD was given its present mission of “Providing safe, effective and adequate blood to all patients in need” by Law No: 26/2007 of 27/06/2007 under the name of CNTS (Centre de Transfusion Sanguine) and started operating as a semi-autonomous institution. In 2011, BTD was made one of the divisions of the RBC (Rwanda Biomedical Centre) under the MoH (Ministry of Health) of Rwanda by the Law No: 54/2010 of 25/01/2011.

BTD comprises of six (units): Five (5) RCBTs (Regional Centres for Blood Transfusion) and one (1) BBU (Bio-Banking Unit). RCBTs are located in all administrative provinces and the CoK (City of Kigali) and are responsible for mobilization and recruitment of blood donors as well as blood collection, processing and distribution. BBU is new in (BTD) and is responsible for CTB (Cornea Tissue Banking). BBU is located at Kanombe Military Hospital, in the CoK.

In 2024, 84,383 blood units were successfully collected through voluntary blood donation Drives, community outreach programs, and strategic collaborations with institutions and local leaders. This marks a continued improvement in national blood availability, ensuring that hospitals receive the life-saving resources they need

According to WHO, countries should collect blood units equivalent to 1% of their population to satisfy their need of blood products. This means that Rwanda with 13,246,394 people, according to the results from the 5th PHC (Population and Housing Census) conducted in 2022, should collect 130,000 blood units per year.

In 2023, BTD collected 86,812 blood units (8.7 donations per 1,000 populations) and hospital demands were met at the rate of 99.47%. The goal of BTD in its strategic plan 2020 – 2025 is to serve up to 100% by 2025.

Mission

“To provide safe, effective and adequate blood and blood products to all patients in need”

Vision

“To be a Centre of excellence by conforming to the International Blood Banking Standards.”

Blood donor mobilization undergoes the following activities:

Blood donor education, recruitment and retention
Blood collection preparations
Blood donor selection and counseling
Blood collections
Notifications
Quality management system

Laboratory undergoes the following activities:

Serology
Immuno – Hematology
Component production
Distribution
Quality management system

Cornea Tissue Banking:

Cornea Tissue harvest
Cornea Tissue Processing
Cornea Tissue Distribution to qualified Health Facilities

The use of medical drones has been implemented to supply life-saving medical products, such as blood and vaccines, to remote hospitals throughout the country.
Rwanda has become the second country to achieve Level 3 Accreditation in in blood transfusion by Africa Society for Blood Transfusion (AFSBT).
BTD has a new unit that carry out all activities related to cornea tissue donation, retrieving, processing and distribution.
Eyes (corneas) can be donated after death to be used for therapeutic, educational or scientific purposes.
A living person can make a voluntary pledge donation of his/her eyes (corneas) during his or her lifetime by filling RBC online pledge form.
A deceased person his/her eyes (corneas) can be donated by his or her family members for therapeutic, educational or scientific purposes after death.
Cornea tissues will be distributed from Bio-banking unit operating under the Blood Transfusion Division (BTD).

Frequent ask questions

How often can i donate?

Whole blood donors may give once every 56 days (eight weeks) in order to allow plenty of time to replenish their red blood cells.
Aphaeresis (platelet) donors can donate more frequently, as much as twice in one month up to 24 times per year, because the platelet and plasma components are replaced in the body quicker than red blood cells.
Platelets and Plasma will return to normal levels within a few hours of
donating.
The red blood cells, the oxygen- carrying cells, can take two weeks or longer to
fully return to normal

Once i start donating platelets, can i still give blood?

Yes, although we recommend you to choose just one type of donation to make
regularly.

If you do wish to donate both blood and platelets, you need to wait 56 days after either type of donation before making the other.
You’re welcome to try different donation programs to see which you like best:
Whole blood, plasma or platelets.
Every donation is valuable and helps save lives. Whole Blood is just as important as platelets: we appreciate your generosity and commitment, whatever you’re able to give

What is apheresis?

Apheresis (ay‐fur‐ee‐sis) is an automated blood collection technology that allows a Blood donor to give specific blood components, such as platelets, plasma and red cells.
During the apheresis procedure, all but the needed blood components are returned to the donor.
Apheresis technology allows the Blood Bank staff to tailor the blood donor’s donation to local demand

Who can donate on apheresis?

Anyone fulfilling the criteria bellow is eligible to donate his blood on Aphaeresis machine:

Healthy
Free from risk behavior exposing the individual to contract blood transmissible infections.
Age: 18 to 60 years
Body weight: ≥50 kg

The Blood donor will be tested for the following before donation:

Haemoglobin: ≥12.5 g/dl
Haematocrit: ≥38%
Platelet Count: ≥150, 000/ µL

A medical questionnaire is filled and a medical
consultation held.

The apheresis donation process

During your donation, blood is drawn and channeled through a sterile, single
use tubing set into an automated system. Using a centrifuge built into the
automated system, the most needed component is collected and then the
remaining blood components are returned back to you.
It takes anywhere between 45 minutes and 2 hours to complete this process.
You simply sit back and relax while helping to save a life.
All apheresis donations are solely done at Kigali Regional Center for Blood
Transfusion fixed site because the machines can’t be moved to mobile sites

Why platelets?

Although different blood components can be drawn using Aphaeresis, Platelets
are the most drawn. Platelets are the blood cells that form clots and control
bleeding. Many patients, such as burn victims, premature babies and organ
transplant recipients, benefit from platelet donations.
Some individuals need frequent, regular platelet transfusions, such as cancer
patients. Only 2% of one whole blood donation is made up of platelets (about three tablespoons).
It takes approximately six whole blood donations, compared to one platelet
donation, to provide the effective dose of platelets needed for a patient’s treatment.
Platelets have a very short shelf life and expire five days after collection, so a constant influx is needed.
It is also better for the patient because it reduces exposure to multiple donors.

Criteria for blood donation in Rwanda

Donating blood is voluntary and unpaid. Below are summarized eligibility criteria:

Basic

To be in good health at the time of donating
blood
Age: 18-60 years,
Weight: 50 kgs and above.

Never donate blood if

Have ever had a positive test for HIV (AIDS virus),
Have ever had a positive test for Hepatitis B orC,
Have ever injected recreational drugs,
You are homosexual persons.

Wait 6 months if

If you have recently had a tattoo or body piercing you cannot donate for 6 months from the date of the procedure,
If you have visited the dentist for a minor or major procedure or any other surgical interventions, you must wait 6 months to donate blood,
You must not give blood If you engaged in “at
risk” sexual activity in the past 6 months.

For females

Do not donate while you are in menstrual periods until 7 days after the last day of your periods,
Do not donate during the pregnancy,
While breast-feeding wait at least 9 months from the day of giving birth.