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Africa Life Clinic

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Factual: Health & Wellbeing

Africa Life Clinic, health issues affecting people’s everyday lives across the continent.

The Covid pandemic is the overwhelming health issue facing Africa right now. However there are a multitude of other health issues which affect people’s daily lives across the continent. Africa Life Clinic aims to reflect the health concerns of Africa through a focus on ‘relatable’ stories- issues that strike a chord with the audience, that might be part of their lives and affect them personally. As well as delving into ongoing developments with the pandemic, Africa Life Clinic features stories about health that concern the continent, such as safe and affordable blood donation, stopping the sale of fake drugs, preventing the spread of rabies and finding ways of dealing with chronic conditions like diabetes or improving mental health. Each week it features perspectives and solutions from different countries.

Africa Life Clinic: Africa’s blood shortage

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Factual: History

Africa’s blood shortage

27/02/2021 GMT

BBC World Service - Africa Life Clinic, Africa’s blood shortage

Levels of blood donation in Africa are low compared with other parts of the world. Why is it so hard to persuade people to give blood?

We’re looking at why levels of blood donation in Africa are so low compared with other parts of the world. From Nigeria we hear about hospitals having to ask patients and family members to give blood to ensure there is enough for their relatives if they require treatment. From Somalia we look at how the continuing  violence and unrest has brought into sharp focus the need for an organised system of blood donation – currently there is only one donor centre – for the whole country, run by volunteers. And in Kenya we meet people who refuse blood transfusions, believing they might take on the characteristics of the person donating the blood. Health workers and religious leaders are coming together to try to change these beliefs. 
Presented by Priscilla Ngethe with contributions from Bella Sheegow, Charles Mgbolu and Dayo Yusuf.
(Picture: People donating blood in Kenya. Credit: Getty Images)

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