Background/Case Studies: In developed countries, significant advancements have transformed blood donation management. The American Red Cross introduced the Blood Donor App in 2014, allowing users to schedule appointments, track donations, and receive updates. In the Netherlands, Sanquin Blood Supply launched a digital platform in 2016, using biometric donor identification and a mobile-first approach to boost donor engagement and reduce costs. In Kenya, the Ministry of Health established the Kenya Tissue and Transplant Authority (KTTA) to manage blood collection and distribution. However, the system remains limited to Nairobi, with manual systems still prevalent in most regions.
Study
Design/Methods: The online blood donation system will be a scalable platform that connects blood donors with recipients, enabling appointment scheduling and real-time tracking of blood availability. It will maintain a database of donors, recipients, and blood banks, ensuring secure storage of donor information. Donors can register and update their details, while recipients can search for donors based on blood type and location. The system will initially launch in Nairobi, targeting major hospitals and blood banks, with plans to expand to other regions like Mombasa, Kisumu, and Eldoret. Key stakeholders include donors, recipients, blood banks, and healthcare facilities.
Results/Findings: The study found that 73.7% of respondents are unfamiliar with online blood donation systems, highlighting the need for awareness and education. Additionally, 44.7% of respondents have never donated blood, indicating a need for initiatives to encourage first-time donors. The data suggests that the proposed system will address these challenges by streamlining the donation process and improving accessibility, ultimately enhancing the blood donation experience.
Conclusions: Based on the study conducted, it can be concluded that the proposed online blood donation system will be very beneficial to all its users, as evidenced by the data collected by the respondents. The system is designed to address key issues identified, including the lack of familiarity with online platforms for blood donation and the limited engagement in blood donation activities. By providing a user-friendly interface and accessible features, the system has the potential to encourage participation and streamline the donation process.
