According to data from the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), the most frequently donated blood type was O+, accounting for 40,291 bags. This was followed by 3,431 units of O-, 20,007 of A+, and 1,124 of A-. Meanwhile, 15,137 units of B+ were collected, 831 of B-, 3,393 of AB+, and 169 of AB-.
O+ stood out as the dominant blood type, representing 47.75% of all donated blood. The least donated was AB-, which made up just 0.2%. In total, 58,688 people donated blood in 2024. Among them, 16,366 were women (27.89%) and 42,322 were men (72.11%).
Moïse Tuyishimire, Blood Donor Recruitment and Retention at the National Center for Blood Transfusion (NCBT), explained that men played a larger role, contributing 59,394 units, which is 70.39% of the total. Women donated 24,989 units, representing 29.61%.
By blood type, 26,564 donors were O+, making up 45.26%, while 2,246 were O-. There were 17,070 A+ donors (29.09%) and 693 A- donors (1.18%). B+ donors totaled 9,367 (15.96%), while B- donors numbered 483 (1.82%). For AB+, there were 2,111 donors (3.60%), and for AB-, just 154 people (0.26%).
Tuyishimire noted that Kigali led the country in blood donations with 27,259 units donated, accounting for 32% of the total. These came from 18,830 individuals, with men contributing 13,323 units (22.7%) and women 5,507 (9.38%).
Following Kigali, the Northern Province came second, with 14,751 blood bags (18%) donated by 10,329 peopleâ€"7,753 men (13.21%) and 2,576 women (4.39%). The Eastern Province followed with 14,231 units (17%) donated by 9,572 peopleâ€"7,039 men (11.99%) and 2,533 women (4.32%).
In the Southern Province, 14,150 units (17%) were donated by 10,097 people, including 7,425 men (12.65%) and 2,672 women (4.55%). The Western Province contributed 13,492 blood bags (16%) from 9,860 donorsâ€"6,772 men (11.56%) and 3,078 women (5.24%).
Age distribution also reflected strong youth engagement. Donors aged 18â€"25 contributed the most, with 27,080 individuals (46.10%). Those aged 26â€"35 were 11,242 (19.2%), and those aged 36â€"45 totaled 12,702 (21.6%). Donors between 46â€"60 years were 7,526 (12.8%), while only 138 donors (0.2%) were over 60 years old.
Rwanda has continued to make impressive progress toward self-sufficiency in blood supply. In 2024, hospitals were able to meet 99.72% of their blood needs. Typically, a unit of donated blood contains about 450 milliliters, though in some countries this can go up to 500 milliliters.
After donation, the blood is screened to ensure it is disease-free, then safely stored until it is needed. When administered, it is matched to the recipient's blood type and the specific blood components required. Blood consists of red blood cells, which carry oxygen from the lungs and give blood its color; white blood cells, which fight infection; and platelets, which help with clotting in case of injury.
There is also plasma, a yellowish fluid component of blood that is often underutilized but can be life-saving for patients who have lost a lot of fluids, such as burn victims, cancer or malaria patients, and those who have experienced severe bleeding. Rwanda collects around 40,000 liters of plasma each year, but only about 2,000 litersâ€"or 5%â€"are used. The rest often goes to waste.
To address this, on July 11, 2024, the Ministry issued a new directive allowing for the export of unused plasma to ensure it is utilized more effectively abroad.
Speaking at the celebration of the National Blood Donor Day on June 14, 2025, in Musanze District, Northern Province Governor Maurice Mugabowagahunde reaffirmed their commitment to saving lives through donation and pledged that, if possible, the province would surpass 20% of donated blood this year.
Dr Thomas Muyombo, Head of the National Centre for Blood Transfusion at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre stated that Rwanda's blood donation system is stable, and those in need of blood are receiving it.
He emphasized the need for continuity, noting that regular donors may eventually become ineligible due to age or health, which is why new donors are constantly needed.
He also reassured the public that donating blood is safe, mentioning that some individuals have donated more than 75 times. He explained that the body continuously produces new blood, maintaining balance and health.
Dr. Muyombo reminded the public that anyone who has received a blood transfusion due to illness must wait at least 12 months before becoming eligible to donate again, provided they are medically cleared.
Eugene Bagirishya told IGIHE that he began donating blood at 17 and has now donated over 70 times by the age of 44. He said it gives him pride to know that every time he donates, he may be saving one or two livesâ€"and that's why he will never stop.
A 2024 hospital survey showed that 99.72% of requested blood components were fulfilled. Of the 127,198 units needed, 126,837 were available and processed, underscoring Rwanda's steady progress toward a reliable and responsive blood donation system.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/health/article/inside-rwanda-s-2024-blood-donation-drive
