‘Every bag of blood received is a chance to live,’ testifies Dr. Hod Bala

Dr. Hod Bala, a physician living with sickle cell disease, described his personal dependence on blood transfusions. "Every bag of blood received is a chance to live," he stated, recounting that he received transfusions one to two times annually from 2009 to 2022. He urged those able to donate to continue, as blood saves lives and aids in managing various complications.

Sickle cell disease, known as the "disease of pain," causes unpredictable and severe acute crises. These episodes can be extremely intense, frequently necessitating transfusions for patients to stabilize their condition and prevent serious complications. In this context, blood becomes an indispensable and vital resource for medical care.

Beyond individual stories, health officials stress that blood donation is an essential civic act. Dr. Debs Nzuau Bamona, provincial coordinator for the Provincial Blood Transfusion Center, noted that all blood types are needed and every donation counts. With ongoing high transfusion demands, particularly for sickle cell patients, blood availability directly impacts patient care and survival prognosis.

The Provincial Blood Transfusion Center in Matadi is appealing to the public for increased voluntary blood donations, especially through organized collection campaigns in the region.