Kinshasa, June 15th, 2026 (CPA). – The needs of blood transfusions are daily and vital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the World Health Organisation (WHO) representative has declared on Monday to CPA, during the celebration of World Blood Donor Day.
“I would like to join the international community and DRC’s national community today to mark World Blood Donor Day. In DRC, the needs for blood transfusions are daily and vital,” has affirmed Dr Anne Ancia.
For Dr Ancia, this day has been an opportunity to pay tribute to all those who voluntarily give blood, and to remind us of our collective responsibility.
“This year’s theme, ‘20 years of celebrating blood donation: thank you to all blood donors!’, reflects a fundamental reality. Every act of generosity is an act of solidarity and compassion that saves lives and strengthens the social fabric,” she has added.
The WHO representative has seized this opportunity to highlight the importance of blood transfusion needs in DRC. “Women facing haemorrhages during childbirth, children suffering from malaria, severe anaemia or sickle cell disease, victims of road accidents, war casualties, as well as patients with chronic illnesses and those undergoing major orthopaedic or cardiovascular surgery, depend every day on the availability of safe and secure blood,” she has emphasised.
According to her, for all the cases mentioned, blood is an absolute prerequisite for survival. “For all of them, blood is not an option. It is an absolute prerequisite for survival,” has indicated the WHO representative.
“Blood donation is an act of solidarity and compassion. Today, we want to pay tribute to health. We want to pay tribute to all blood donors, both voluntary and unpaid,” she has concluded, noting that their generosity saves lives, strengthens communities and gives hope.
ACP/