In times of crisis—whether it be a natural disaster, armed conflict, or a large-scale public health emergency—the demand for safe and quality-assured blood and blood products rises dramatically. Ensuring a steady supply of these life-saving resources is crucial to maintaining healthcare systems, saving lives, and preventing further destabilization in an already chaotic environment. Without adequate blood supplies, the consequences can be devastating.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), safe blood saves lives and improves health, but millions of patients requiring transfusion do not have timely access to safe blood. Ensuring the availability of safe blood products is particularly crucial during emergencies. Globally, approximately 118.54 million blood donations are collected each year. However, managing this enormous volume of donations without a streamlined electronic process for collection and tracking can lead to serious challenges.
Recognizing the pressing need for innovation in blood supply systems, eHealth Africa, in partnership with the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative—the Blood Information System for Crisis Intervention and Management (BISKIT) AKTH Pilot Project. This project, supported by the eHealth Africa Board, aims to digitize and streamline the process of blood collection, management, and distribution, ensuring that safe blood is always available before, during, and after crises.
According to Francis Ayo, the project manager, “This groundbreaking initiative is exploring a key question: How can digital solutions help ensure a sufficient supply of safe and quality-assured blood and blood products before, during, and after a crisis? In an attempt to answer this question, eHealth Africa, in collaboration with other consortium partners, developed the Blood Information System for Crisis Intervention and Management (BISKIT) app.”
Empowering Healthcare Professionals through Training
Last week, eHealth Africa successfully conducted a pilot training session for AKTH medical doctors, laboratory scientists, and other healthcare professionals. This training marked a pivotal moment in the project’s timeline, laying the foundation for the digital transformation of blood supply management in Northern Nigeria. The participants’ expertise and engagement were vital as they collectively embarked on a mission to strengthen the blood supply chain through cutting-edge technology.
The training, which focused on the BISKIT system, helped participants deepen their understanding of the app’s functionalities and their role in improving the safety and availability of blood. It also gave them the opportunity to explore the app’s potential for collecting, analyzing, and visualizing blood supply data to generate insights that can influence decision-making, policy advocacy, and long-term strategies in healthcare.
One participant, Dr. Yahaya Ibrahim, a medical doctor at AKTH, expressed his satisfaction with the BISKIT app: “The app is user-friendly and easy to navigate. I foresee it significantly improving access to safe blood during critical moments.” His reflection encapsulates the thoughtful work that went into developing the BISKIT app to meet the needs of healthcare providers on the front lines of crises.
Williams Isong Akpan, the Deputy Director of Medical Laboratory Services at AKTH, was impressed by how the system allowed for task-specific roles and completion sign-offs. He remarked, “What stood out for me during the training was the seamless sign-off after completing each task and the allotment of different roles in the BISKIT system. This shows that a lot of thought was given to streamlining the blood donation chain, ensuring efficiency.”
Similarly, Abimbola Ajayi, the Assistant Chief Medical Laboratory Scientist at AKTH, noted the potential impact on patient care. “The BISKIT app will definitely improve the turnaround time for patients receiving our services. Overall, it will enhance the effectiveness of our services, making us more responsive to patients’ needs.”
Looking to the Future
The successful pilot training is just the beginning. The official launch of the BISKIT application in Kano State is underway, and expectations are high for the role the app will play in modernizing blood supply systems. The potential to capture data on blood donors and health workers, analyze trends, and visualize key metrics offers healthcare providers powerful tools to not only respond effectively during crises but also prepare for them.
The BISKIT app is about more than just blood. It is about hope, preparedness, and the power of technology to save lives. With the combined efforts of eHealth Africa, AKTH, and other stakeholders, the future of blood supply management is brighter, safer, and more resilient.
As we look ahead, we are reminded of the words of Francis Ayo: “At the heart of every crisis is an opportunity to innovate, and the BISKIT app is one of those innovations that will change the way we think about blood supply management. The goal is simple but profound: to save lives.”
In a world where the unexpected is always around the corner, tools like the BISKIT app will ensure that when the next crisis comes, we are prepared to respond with speed, efficiency, and compassion.
This project will undoubtedly revolutionize blood supply management, not just in Kano but potentially across Nigeria and beyond. The commitment to innovation and resilience shown by all the stakeholders involved is a powerful testament to what can be achieved when technology meets healthcare.
