The cross-country learning facilitated by the Accelerator consortium partner, Health Strategy and Delivery Foundation (HSDF), provided an opportunity to enhance country implementation activities, linking the cross-country learning with direct technical assistance provided by Results for Development (R4D). After the in-person learning event, HSDF conducted key informant learning checks that directly contributed to the final capstone webinar, “Reflections and the Ways Forward: Sustainability of Cross-Country Learning for Safe Blood Systems,” held on June 11, 2024.

The capstone event highlighted the value of the Accelerator-supported cross-country learning events, as recognized by country blood transfusion service (BTS) stakeholders. They appreciated the structured and demand-driven approach and expressed interest in engaging in more cross-country learning on strengthening safe blood systems. During the capstone session, participants reflected on the benefits of the safe blood cross-country learning with key takeaways and integration of learnings within BTS processes:

• • Participants appreciated the organized and structured nature of the cross-country learning. Before the Accelerator-supported cross-country learning, most learning occurred at conferences or one-off events.
  • Country teams have integrated the lessons from Malawi on incorporating secondary school populations as blood donors, consistent and frequent communication strategies from Namibia, and retention strategies from Zimbabwe.
  • Several participants noted the importance of BTS visibility through branding and marketing, as demonstrated by Namibia, and how this can be used for advocacy with blood donors and the government.
  • All participants highlighted the importance of generating good, timely, and complete data at each step of the blood transfusion continuum for effective and efficient budgeting, setting blood donor targets, improving the hemovigilance strategy and system, and advocating for strengthening blood services.
  • Liberia noted that they have maintained a relationship with the Namibia BTS to discuss further lessons learned and potential adaptation management strategies. They have also incorporated a blood donor satisfaction survey into their routine collections.
  • Malawi is creating an offline data collection and management system, developing school ambassador programs for blood donor retention, and exploring cost-effective solutions to meet high demands and funding needs.
  • Rwanda is adopting the marketing strategies learned from Namibia BTS, incorporating blood management system updates and increasing the number of published research articles to enhance the visibility of their blood system and its impact on health.

The capstone session offered opportunities for BTS stakeholders to discuss ways to promote the sustainability of cross-country learning. Country participants identified ways to sustain and further cross-country learning, including ‘twinning,’ which aims to establish a ‘win-win’ relationship between BTSs to exchange knowledge and best practices and to publish research articles jointly. While participants noted that the virtual platform was effective for learning, it posed challenges for networking. However, Rwanda Blood Transfusion Division (BTD) offered to host country participants to tour their facilities and lab to gain insights into BTD methodologies and innovations. Finally, participants were asked to rank priority topics for future learning during the event. Most participants emphasized the importance of funding and government buy-in, data management for decision-making, and blood donor mobilization as priority topics for learning within their blood systems.