20/04/2026
We had the privilege of attending the 12th International Blood Transfusion Congress of the Africa Society for Blood Transfusion (AfSBT) in Windhoek, Namibia.
Our Project Officer, Kevin Ochieng, represented CPHD at this prestigious continental gathering alongside colleagues from Strathmore University, where we shared findings from our PITS/CoBAnK Study through 6 poster presentations and 3 oral presentations, spanning nurse roles in transfusion, blood donor motivations, community-facility transfusion committees (CFTCs), and blood availability in low-resource settings.
The conversations that followed were just as valuable as the presentations themselves. Here's what stood out:
๐ก Community engagement is the backbone of effective blood transfusion systems, and CFTCs are proving this every day on the ground in Kenya.
๐ก The CFTC model is turning heads across the continent, with growing interest from other African countries looking to adapt it in their own settings.
๐ก Sustainability beyond project funding is a real and important question, one we are committed to answering through our ongoing work.
๐ก Global partners, including Terumo, expressed interest in supporting CFTC activities, a strong signal that our work is resonating far beyond Kenya's borders.
๐ก No country should be navigating these challenges alone. Cross-border knowledge sharing is not optional; it is essential.
We leave Windhoek energized and inspired, with a clear mission ahead: publishing our findings by June 2026 so they can reach and benefit those who need them most.
