Réseau Santé au Premier Plan (R.S.P.
P)
Kalaban-coro Nérékoro Immeuble Station SOMAYAF
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FIRST
QUARTER PROJECT:
3 ZEROS INITIATIVE AT THE REFERENCE
HEALTH CENTER IN YANFOLILA, MALI
Zero Deaths from lack of blood
Zero Referrals or evacuations due to lack of blood
Zero Shortage of blood products
JUNE 2024 - MAY 2025
REPUBLIC OF MALI
ONE PEOPLE - ONE GOAL - ONE FAITH
Email Website Mobile
Info@[Link] [Link] (+223) 84646245 /
68584045
COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS
ASSESSMENT
The 2023 Community Health Needs Assessment, carried out by
Réseau Santé au Premier Plan (R.S.P.P) identified critical blood
product needs at the Yanfolila Reference Health Center (CSRéf).
Several limitations were identified including blood stock and
input shortages, the high cost of systematic biological analysis
of a unit of safe blood, and the risks associated with medical
referrals and evacuations.
IN RESPONSE TO THESE CHALLENGES, R.S.P.P HAS
LAUNCHED THE "3 ZEROS INITIATIVE" PROJECT:
Zero Deaths due to lack of blood
Zero Evacuation for lack of blood
Zero Disruption to the blood supply
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
The 3 Zeros Initiative aims to eliminate preventable deaths,
emergency referrals, and blood shortages at Yanfolila District
Hospital. It focuses on making safe blood available for patients
in rural Mali, especially children and women.
GOAL
To create a sustainable, community-driven blood supply
system that ensures timely access to safe transfusions,
strengthens local healthcare capacity, and reduces maternal
and child mortality.
OBJECTIVES
Maintain 100% coverage of
blood requests at Yanfolila
District Hospital.
Increase awareness and
knowledge about blood
donation and transfusion.
Improve healthcare access and
hospital attendance.
Strengthen technical skills of
health workers in blood
management.
PROJECT INVENTION STRATEGY
On June 11, 2024, the project was launched in Yanfolila, in the presence of
local players (Prefect, Mayor, Chief Medical Officer, etc.).
To achieve these objectives, we use several strategies:
Partnership with local organizations and institutions
Blood drive campaigns
Raising awareness of the importance of blood donation and
transfusion
Setting up a database of volunteer donors
Training for healthcare professionals
Free consultation and donation of medicines
PROJECT IMPACTS
The implementation of the Initiative 3 Zero project enabled us in 12
months :
[Link] coverage of blood product requirements
12 blood drives, resulting in the donation of 308 bags of
blood
Blood collection and processing for a total of 1,530 people
(campaigns, parents and volunteers)
1310 healthy blood bags for 1129 requested at the CSRéf of
Yanfolila;
100% of blood product needs covered;
Zero shortage of blood products;
2. Improving patient care:
Coverage of blood product needs for 842 patients;
308 children under 5, or 36.58% of patients transfused;
268 obstetric emergencies (anemia/pregnancy, post-
partum hemorrhage, cesarean section, abortion, EP, etc.),
representing 31.82% of patients transfused;
Zero deaths and zero referrals or evacuations due to lack of
blood
3. Reduction and prevention of communicable diseases :
Screen 189 donors for transmissible diseases, including :
124 Ag-HBS positive cases ;
21 HIV-positive cases of determine ;
17 HVC positive cases ;
17 cases of syphilis;
All advised and directed to specialist services for their care.
4. Improving community health :
As part of the Initiative 3 Zéro project, Réseau Santé au Premier
Plan organized five free medical consultation and medicine
donation campaigns in remote and vulnerable areas of the
Yanfolila health district. These outreach efforts targeted villages
without nearby health facilities and focused on early detection
and treatment of malaria, especially in children and pregnant
women, to prevent life-threatening complications like severe
anemia.
In total, 839 people received care, including:
294 malaria patients treated, 38.2% of whom were children
under 10;
91 pregnant women provided with iron and folic acid
supplements;
109 elderly individuals diagnosed with hypertension and
referred for follow-up care.
These campaigns brought primary healthcare closer to
underserved communities, ensuring lifesaving interventions
during peak malaria transmission seasons.
5. Boosting Voluntary Blood Donation in the
Yanfolila Circle.
We have set up a coordination committee for voluntary blood
donors in the Yanfolila circle, with the following 9 communes:
Central office Cercle de Yanfolila/ Commune de Wassoulou
Ballé
Commune of Yalankoro Soloba
Commune of Séré Moussa ni Samou
Commune of Djiguiya de Koloni
Commune of Djallon Foula
Municipality of Gouana
Commune of Doussoudiana
Municipality of Flamanan
Commune of Gouandiaka
To date, we have a total of 160 volunteer members in the
Yanfolila circle.
6. Capacity Building
39 members of the volunteer blood donor coordination
committee in Yanfolila were trained in volunteer mobilization
and blood donation advocacy.
36 community health workers from multiple communes
were trained in anemia diagnosis, management, and patient
referral/evacuation protocols.
7. Raising awareness and educating the community about
blood donation:
Conducted 52 radio programs and released 240+ videos,
posters, and messages promoting voluntary blood donation.
This resulted in 1,222 blood donations over 12 months, both
voluntary and family-based.
8. Transfusion inputs and blood donation to the Yanfolila
CSRef:
The project ensured a steady supply of blood transfusion
inputs (blood bags, testing kits for HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B
& C, Rhesus grouping kits, EDTA tubes, needles, etc.) to the
Yanfolila Referral Health Center.
This guaranteed free and safe blood access for patients,
improving the center’s ability to respond effectively to
emergencies.
Additional HIV test kits were provided through collaboration
with Mali’s HIV sectoral cell.
PROJECT OUTCOMES
Key Outcomes - Year 1
1,310 safe blood bags collected, covering 100% of
transfusion needs.
842 patients saved, including 308 children under 5 and
268 obstetric emergencies.
189 donors screened for infections and referred to care.
5 outreach campaigns benefiting 839 vulnerable people
with free care.
Volunteer donor network created, active in 9 communes
with 160 members.
75 healthcare workers trained (39 volunteers + 36 health
workers).
Over 52 radio programs and 240 digital campaigns raised
public awareness.
LIMITATIONS
Only one blood storage refrigerator, limiting capacity.
Funding instability threatens long-term sustainability.
Record-keeping challenges and manual systems slow
response times.
Ongoing need for cold chain equipment, digital systems, and
donor recruitment.
Phase 2 (2025–2026) will
focus on:
Scaling up coverage across Mali.
Digitizing blood management systems.
Expanding donor networks.
Strengthening infrastructure and health worker training.
Funding needed: 40,900,000 CFA (~USD 52,990) to sustain
this life-saving program.
TESTIMONIALS
1.
This project came at just the right time, and at 9 months what it has
achieved is truly colossal. We're really relieved psychologically and
morally, because the need for blood no longer arises. He has taken
charge of all the inputs involved in transfusion. As a result, we no longer
have to contend with shortages of funds on the part of patients who no
longer have to pay, and blood is quickly available and needs are covered.
In addition to raising awareness so that people can understand what
blood is, what transfusions are used for, and calling on everyone to get
involved to save lives. We didn't have a group of voluntary blood donors,
but thanks to the project we now have a coordinating body of voluntary
blood donors for the entire Cercle de Yanfolila. In 9 months, we've had no
shortage of transfusion inputs or blood. And during the free medical
consultations it organizes, the project raises awareness of the
importance of blood donation and of being a voluntary donor.
Dr Oumar Ina Maiga, Chief Physician, Yanfolila referral health center
2.
The whole team is delighted with the arrival of the project, as we are no
longer faced with certain problems. For example, if a patient is not
accompanied by someone capable of donating blood, the project team
looks for donors to replace the blood bag or bags taken by the patient.
Secondly, there are no longer any financial problems: even the
transfusers are donated free of charge, and no one has to wait more than
24 hours for a blood bag.
Ms Samaké Aissata Tembely, Laboratory Manager
3.
With the arrival of this partner who supports us in blood collection and
transfusion. We have had no referrals to other units, all cases of blood
needs have been managed on site. On top of that, what impressed us
even more was that, in addition to blood, the project also provides
transfusionists for patients. Our population's blood health is improving all
the time.
Dr Ouattara Ali, Obstetrician-Gynecologist, Maternity Ward Manager
4.
What's more precious than life? I can't find words strong enough to
describe this initiative. I think it benefits and should continue to benefit
the population. Lives have already been saved, and this project must be
extended and perpetuated to infinity, if I can put it that way.
Mrs Sidibé Rokia Diakité Mayor of the commune of Wassoulou Ballé
5.
The impact is visible, because when you look at the Reference Health
Center, there is no longer a shortage of blood bags. And no one is
transferred to Bougouni or Bamako for lack of blood.
Today, everything is done on site, which is a huge advantage in terms of
cost and rapid patient care.
Souleymane Coulibaly, Prefect of the Circle of Yanfolila
6.
I'm at the Centre de Santé de Référence de Yanfolila today for a problem
of anemia during pregnancy. Before the health workers gave me the
transfusion, I was worried about preserving my life and that of my baby,
because the lack of transfusion could lead to my death or that of my
baby.
Back in the day, my co-wife had the same problem and died, leaving
behind her newborn baby.
Before coming, I was really scared, but once I was there the doctor
reassured me that blood was available. Since I've received blood, I feel
great. Before I felt weak, I had trouble even walking, but now thank God I
can do all that without any discomfort.
My appeal to the project is that God bless it and that it's not limited to
just one month, two months or even a year.
Assa Sidibé, Beneficiary in Yanfolila
R.S.P.P. Partnership
The "3 Zeros Initiative" has already made an impeccable mark on
Yanfolila, saving countless lives through increased and timely
access to blood products through improved healthcare
services. However, to continue this critical work and to expand
our efforts, we need your support. Every action makes a
difference and together we can guarantee that no one in
Yanfolila has to fear losing their life because of a shortage of
blood.
Bank information
Account Name: RÉSEAU SANTE AU PREMIER PLAN
Bank: BNDA
Account Number: 006001208929
Address: KALABAN COURA AGENCY ROUTE DES 30 METERS
BAMAKO
Swift Number: BNADMLBAXXX
ORANGE MONEY: +223 70194019