Peer-reviewed study in Africa Sanguine shows expanding investment in safe blood supply to prevent fatal post-partum hemorrhage (PPH) in Ghana, Kenya and Ivory Coast is likely to provide social benefits as well as substanti Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies (Terumo), a medical technology company, today announces that Africa Sanguine, a peer-reviewed medical journal1, has published results from its study showing the anticipated clinical outcomes and economic justification of overcoming blood shortages in Kenya, Ghana and Ivory Coast. The Terumo study results present a strong argument for further investment in a safe blood supply chain to build on the considerable existing efforts to improve access to blood and blood supplies.
The study was conducted in collaboration with experts in blood transfusion and health economics. It demonstrates societal and substantial economic benefits for countries investing in blood transfusion to save the lives of African mothers impacted by maternal bleeding. The study includes a targeted literature review, clinical expert inputs and a novel budget impact model to estimate the value of a life saved with blood transfusion and quantify the economic benefits to investing in an adequate, safe and sustainable blood supply.
“Maternal mortality is a ‘homewrecker’ and a ‘national disaster.’ The study details that nearly 30% of maternal deaths are attributable to blood shortage,” said Dr. Shirley Owusu-Ofori, Transfusion Medicine Specialist and Head of Transfusion Medicine Unit, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Ghana. “Any intervention to mitigate such quantified effects may be either expensive or cost-effective. We demonstrate that improving blood availability in SSA (Kenya, Ghana and Ivory Coast) by substantially investing in the blood safety chain will address all mortality and morbidity and ultimately yield cost savings.”
The Terumo study looked at the costs associated with severe maternal bleeding compared with investment costs to adequately manage maternal bleeding.The study validated the number of lives that could be saved per year in Kenya (8,503), Ghana (3,902) and Ivory Coast (3,618).
The estimated total socio-economic yearly value of these lives was found to be approximately USD $57 million.The total cost to provide adequate blood supply, which is calculated at 13 units per patient, was approximately USD $33.7 million.
This means that USD $23 million could be saved by providing blood transfusions in post-partum hemorrhage (PPH).The study further found that the savings would be realized from the first year in Kenya and Ghana and from the second year in Ivory Coast.The cost of saved lives outweighs the investment in the supply of blood with cost savings. This conclusion takes the income levels of Kenya, Ghana and Ivory Coast into account.
“Blood availability is a critical health concern. An increased investment in blood will empower women, reduce inequalities and foster more productive workforces,” said Antoinette Gawin, President and Chief Executive Officer, Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies. “Saving lives is within our grasp. It requires our collective commitment, expertise and capacity to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to reduce global maternal mortality.”
There are many reasons that blood availability is a concern. The contributing factors include a lack of structured blood supply chains, few blood donation programs and the limited access to healthcare, especially in rural areas. Terumo has undertaken the study to bridge the current gap in data on the impact of blood shortage on socio-economic outcomes and mortality, specifically for maternal mortality due to severe bleeding.
