Rwanda to host international blood transfusion experts conference in 2026

Kigali, Rwanda, March 26, 2026 - Rwanda is set to host an international conference bringing together global experts in blood transfusion and blood-based medicine, marking a return of the high-level meeting after 12 years. The conference is organized in partnership with the Africa Society for Blood Transfusion (AfSBT) and is expected to gather specialists, blood bank professionals, and healthcare experts from across Africa and beyond. The announcement was made during the 12th AfSBT conference held in Namibia from March 21-26, 2026, where Rwanda presented its advancements in blood transfusion systems, including the use of drones for rapid blood delivery to remote areas. Rwanda was represented by Dr. Thomas Muyombo, who highlighted the country’s progress in ensuring efficient and timely access to blood supplies. The country last hosted the AfSBT conference in 2016, and the upcoming edition is expected to further strengthen Rwanda’s role in regional and global blood safety initiatives. AfSBT, founded in 1997 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, works to promote safe and effective blood transfusion practices across African countries. Rwanda has recorded significant improvements in its national blood program, with more than 84,000 units of blood collected in 2024 and a reported 99.72% supply fulfillment rate in hospitals. Health data shows that O positive remains the most donated blood type, while AB negative is the least common. A total of over 58,000 people donated blood during the year, with men representing the majority of donors. The upcoming conference is expected to reinforce collaboration among African health systems and advance innovations in blood transfusion services.