Boulkiemde: Faced with a persistent blood shortage in health facilities, the SOS Sang association, in collaboration with the National Blood Transfusion Center (CNTS), organized a major advocacy meeting in the Nando region. This event aimed to directly appeal to traditional chiefs and religious leaders in Burkina Faso for increased commitment to voluntary blood donation.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the meeting was financially supported by the Sexual and Reproductive Health Program (PSSR) and marked a significant step towards engaging community leaders. The event’s opening ceremony was chaired by Lucien Guiguemde, the Secretary General of the Nando region, representing the governor. Discussions were held with administrative, religious, and customary authorities to raise awareness on the importance of regular blood donation.

The objective of the meeting was to inform opinion leaders about the current situation of blood donation in Burkina Faso, the urgent need for regular donations, the ethical principles of this act, and the influential role these leaders can play in community mobilization. Jean-Bosco Zoundi, President of SOS Sang, highlighted the World Health Organization’s recommendation that 1 to 3% of the population should regularly donate blood to achieve self-sufficiency. He noted that Burkina Faso is currently below this threshold, emphasizing the need for influential voices to help address this deficit.

Lucien Guiguemde made an appeal to all notables, urging their involvement to boost voluntary blood donations. He emphasized that the engagement of traditional and religious leaders is crucial for the benefit of health centers where the need for blood is significant. This initiative reflects the desire of health stakeholders to rely on the authority of traditional and spiritual leaders to transform the culture of blood donation in the nation.