HOPE

About the project

Last updated in September 2023

HOPE is the first complete digital platform, dedicated to blood donation in Senegal and several African countries. It is a platform of applications based on SMS, IVR (Interactive Voice Response) in local languages ​​and the Web. These applications make it possible to boost the transfusion activity of a country thanks to a permanent and interactive communication with the donors, especially in case of urgent blood needs (very recurrent facts in Africa). In addition, these applications are very effective interfaces for blood donation awareness among populations. HOPE allows blood transfusion structures to create interconnected networks of blood donors and volunteers on which they can rely to support the need for blood products. It is important to note that HOPE focuses on maternal and child health because they are the two most affected by the lack of blood in health facilities in Africa (source: World Health Organization).

According to WHO and UNICEF, every minute on average a woman dies while giving birth. Overall, more than 30% of maternal deaths are due to bleeding, poorly compensated because of a lack of blood. The reasons are: a lack of blood donors, insufficient supply and the problem of routing. In addition, up to 65% of blood transfusions are delivered to children under 5 years of age in developing countries. Senegal has only 0.45% of blood donors on its total population and thousands of people (mostly women and children) lose their lives due to a lack of blood transfusions each year. HOPE aims to fight against the unavailability of a blood bag when needed, but also to respond to a need to raise awareness among populations (changing behaviors) about blood donation.

Existing solutions used in health structures in Africa are mostly obsolete. In African countries, the mobile phone penetration rate exceeds 60% on average to date. With the advent of Internet, social networks, smartphones, people are increasingly connected. Thanks to HOPE, health structures are becoming digital and using new channels to reach people more effectively. Therefore, HOPE uses this gathering force of social networks and technology in general to better communicate with blood donors and potential donors. It is a privileged means of raising awareness among as many people as possible about the importance of blood donation, encouraging them to become regular blood donors to be active in this fight and save lives.

After a successful pilot phase, the project was stopped because of a lack of funding during the covid-19 crisis.