I’m at the Yanfolila Reference Health Center today for anemia during pregnancy. Before the health workers gave me the transfusion, my concern was for the preservation of my life and that of my baby because a lack of blood could lead to my death or that of the baby. My co-wife had the same problem before, and she died, leaving her newborn. Before coming, I was really scared, but once I got there, the doctor reassured me about the availability of blood. Since receiving blood, I feel much better. Before, I felt weak, I had trouble even walking, but now, thank God, I can do all of this without any discomfort. My appeal to the Frontline Health Network is that God bless them and that it is not limited to just one month, two months or even one year.

The impact of the Initiative 3 Zero project is visible, because when we see at the Yanfolila Reference Health Center, there are no more blood bag shortages. And no one is transferred to Bougouni or Bamako due to a lack of blood. Everything is done on-site today, which is a huge advantage in terms of costs and rapid patient care.

What is more precious than life? I cannot find words strong enough to describe the RSPP’s Initiative 3 Zero. I think it benefits and must continue to benefit the population. Lives have already been saved; this project must be extended, made sustainable indefinitely, if I may put it that way.

With the arrival of the Réseau Santé au Premier Plan (RSPP), which supports us in blood collection and transfusion, we have not had any referrals to other units; all cases requiring blood have been managed on-site. And what further impressed us, in addition to blood, is that the project also provides transfusion devices to patients. Our population’s blood health is improving more and more.

The entire team is pleased with the arrival of the Initiative 3 Zero project because we no longer face 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(s) taken by the patient. Second, financial problems no longer arise; even transfusions are provided free of charge, and no one has to wait more than 24 hours to get a blood bag.

The Initiative 3 Zero project came at just the right time. At 9 months, what this project has achieved is truly colossal. We feel truly relieved psychologically and morally because the need for blood no longer arises. They have taken care of all the inputs involved in transfusions. So, we no longer face financial shortages for patients who no longer pay out-of-pocket, and blood is quickly available and needs are met.

We didn’t have a group of voluntary blood donors; thanks to the project, we now have a coordination of voluntary blood donors for the entire Yanfolila Circle. We haven’t had any shortages in either inputs or blood related to transfusions.