The development and implementation of collaborative blood transfusion management systems (CBTMS) have gained global momentum in response to the rising need for structured and efficient blood services. In developed countries like the United Kingdom, the National Health Service Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) has implemented centralized digital inventory management systems that ensure real-time tracking of blood units and reduce wastage 1. Their success is attributed to well-integrated IT platforms, strong government oversight, and public trust in healthcare institutions. In contrast, developing countries face unique constraints. The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has made commendable progress through mobile blood collection campaigns and educational outreach, significantly improving voluntary blood donation rates in urban centers 2. Similarly, in Malawi, international collaborations with WHO and NGOs have supported the development of rural blood collection units and training programs, contributing to improved blood safety and donor retention 3.

The World Health Organization 4 recommends that national blood systems be based on voluntary, non-remunerated donation, integrated information systems, and consistent quality standards. These components are vital in achieving the goals of universal health coverage and reducing preventable maternal and neonatal deaths. Blood transfusion is a cornerstone of modern healthcare and a vital component in managing surgical procedures, trauma, maternal hemorrhage, anemia, and various hematologic diseases. In Cameroon, access to safe and adequate blood has historically been constrained by structural inefficiencies, insufficient donor pools, and limited laboratory capacity for screening blood, lack of information and inadequate use of ICT tools. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all blood donations be screened for HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis. However, these guidelines are not consistently followed in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, including Cameroon, due to resource limitations 56.

In Cameroon, there exist several draw backs to collaborative blood transfusion management system. The absence of a centralized national blood information system means that hospitals and blood banks operate in silos, using different tools that are not interoperable 78. Many rural and peri-urban facilities lack stable internet connectivity and power supply, reducing their ability to use or update ICT systems in real-time 9. Health workers often lack the ICT skills necessary to operate blood management software or analyze digital data. Moreover, training on digital health systems like DHIS2 and BBMIS is often limited to specific projects or pilot hospitals 7. Due to continued reliance on manual documentation in some areas, data entered into digital systems may be incomplete, delayed, or inaccurate. This compromises national reporting and evidence-based planning 8. Current ICT systems do not incorporate advanced capabilities like machine learning for blood demand forecasting, mobile apps for donor location services, or electronic matching algorithms 7. Most tools are basic and used only for recording and reporting. Collaboration between public, private, and nonprofit actors in the blood transfusion chain is limited by the lack of a shared digital communication system or real-time inventory platform 1068. More so, Osaro and Charles (2011) emphasize the need for culturally sensitive education campaigns to dispel misconceptions about blood donation, which are widespread in many African contexts.

According to the Cameroon Ministry of Public Health (2017), less than 40% of the annual national demand for blood is met, and most donations come from family members or replacement donors rather than voluntary non-remunerated donors. This reliance on replacement donation increases the risk of transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs) and delays in emergency response. These findings suggest that the success of CBTMS in Cameroon depends on adapting international best practices to local realities, ensuring community involvement, and building robust digital infrastructure to support timely decision-making and accountability. The CBTMS aims to create a centralized and data-driven approach to ensure efficient blood collection, storage, distribution, and utilization. This paper incorporates the Cornerstone University Blood Management system version 1.0 (CUMBS vs 1.0) to analyze the structure, benefits, and limitations of CBTMS in Cameroon, while drawing parallels to global best practices in blood transfusion management.

This study adopted a qualitative design with an exploratory framework to evaluate the functionality, structure, and perceived impact of the Collaborative Blood Transfusion Management System (CBTMS) in Cameroon. The methodology was structured in three phases: system observation and interface analysis, comparative case analysis, and literature synthesis.

The Collaborative Blood Transfusion Management System (CBTMS) in Cameroon has demonstrated substantial improvements in the efficiency, transparency, and safety of blood transfusion services. This section presents the observed outcomes, analyzed according to system modules and corroborated with best practices from comparable international frameworks.

The Collaborative Blood Transfusion Management System (CBTMS) in Cameroon, exemplified by the Cornerstone University Blood Management System version 1.0, has improved multiple facets of blood transfusion services including digital recordkeeping, inventory control, emergency response, and community engagement. The system offers a sustainable model adaptable to resource-limited settings. However, for its full potential to be realized, challenges related to infrastructure, training, and cultural acceptance must be addressed through coordinated efforts between government, healthcare providers, and community stakeholders.

The Ministry of Public Health should prioritize the nationwide implementation of CBTMS, ensuring consistency in digital health tools.

Continuous training programs should be conducted for healthcare staff to ensure proper utilization of the system.

Investments must be made in ICT infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, to improve system reliability.

Community leaders and NGOs should be engaged to promote voluntary blood donation through culturally sensitive campaigns.

Integration of predictive technologies and AI in future versions of CBTMS can enhance forecasting and supply chain planning.

LBA and HFM conceived, designed, supervised the study and major contributions and performed statistical analysis and drafted manuscript, BEBA participated in designing the projected and carried out data collection in the field. AWC and WDS contributed in the revision of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

No special funding was received for this research.

All datasets generated and analyzed during the study are presented in the paper

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