The U.S. and Ethiopian Governments Break Ground for a New Blood Service Center

An architect's rendition of the new blood center.
An architect's rendition of the new blood center.
Tetra Tech

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, May 4, 2016
David Kahrmann
+251-111-30-69-37

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, May 4, 2016 – Ethiopian Minister of Health Dr. Kesetebirhan Admasu and USAID Ethiopia Mission Director Dennis Weller led a groundbreaking ceremony today to kick off construction for the National Blood Transfusion Service Center. The new center will provide the Ministry of Health with additional capacity to receive donations, screen and process blood products, and distribute life-saving products to serve approximately 26 million Ethiopians.

The 5,300 square meter facility will house the administrative headquarters for blood transfusion services, providing a permanent home for offices, training, meetings, and document storage. One of the primary reasons for strengthening and expanding blood transfusion services in Ethiopia is to reduce the prevalence of HIV in the blood supply. The new center will enable the staff to properly screen blood for HIV and other infections after it is collected.

On May 4, 2016, USAID, with funding from the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, joined the Ministry of Health in a goundbreaking ceremony for a new 5,300 square meter National Blood Transfusion Center in Addis Ababa.

Video Transcript 
(00:04-00:08) It just looks kind of like a bit of a parking lot and a plot of grass and rocks here…
(00:08-00:17) but I think what we’re going to be seeing emerging here after some time is the workings of this new blood center.
(00:17-00:22) And I think it’s going to be a real capstone to the infrastructure around here
(00:22-00:25) It really does represent a lot more than just a building.
(00:25-00:32) It represents, I think, a center that will serve close to 26 million Ethiopians…
(00:32-00:43) and it will account for, as I understand it, about 25 percent of the WHO-recommended collection facilities here in Ethiopia.
(00:43-00:44) It’s worth waiting for.
(00:45-00:53) We are really honored and happy with the support we have been getting from USAID in particular…
(00:53-00:57) and the U.S. Government in general, and PEPFAR as well.
(00:57-01:11) Like all constructions that have been financed by the U.S. Government, we believe that this will be one of the best buildings and it will serve a nice purpose for the blood transfusion center.
(01:11-01:22) Without your unprecedented support, the result Ethiopia has achieved in the health sector and other social sectors would not have been possible.
(01:22-01:25) (applause) Keep digging…

The capacity of this facility will enable the ministry to meet more than 25 percent of the World Health Organization’s recommended annual blood collection goals for Ethiopia. Additionally, the center will oversee the distribution of blood products, which will expand access to blood transfusion services throughout rural and urban areas of Ethiopia.Speaking at the event, Weller said, “A key reason for improving blood transfusion services in Ethiopia is to reduce the number of maternal deaths. Hemorrhaging continues to be one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in Ethiopia, and many of these deaths can be prevented through blood transfusions.” Weller commended the Ministry of Health’s contributions to the many months of planning, design, and the beginning of the construction of the new National Blood Transfusion Service Center.

The $5 million construction cost is funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). USAID is expected to complete construction of the facility in two years.

See also:

Press Release Blood Center Groundbreaking [PDF, 24kb]

Mission Director Remarks Blood Center Groundbreaking [PDF, 193kb]

Blood Center Fact Sheet [PDF, 1 mb]

Blood Center Floor Plan [PDF, 748kb]

USAID Ethiopia HIV/AIDS