Students and staff of the Institute of Legal Practice and Development (ILPD) recently participated in a blood donation drive to help save the lives of patients in need of transfusions. The exercise, which took place on August 25, drew a strong turnout. 

Donors emphasized the vital importance of the initiative, noting how heartbreaking it is to see patients suffer or lose their lives simply due to a shortage of blood. Among the participants were international students, who observed that voluntary blood donation remains a major challenge in their home countries due to low public participation.

According to the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), public awareness around blood donation has been on the rise. In 2024, a total of 84,383 units of blood were collected across the country. This included 40,291 units of O-positive (O+), 3,431 units of O-negative (O-), 20,007 units of A-positive (A+), and 1,124 units of A-negative (A-). Additionally, the collection yielded 15,137 units of B-positive (B+), 831 units of B-negative (B-), 3,393 units of AB-positive (AB+), and 169 units of AB-negative (AB-). 

Overall, the blood was donated by 58,688 individuals, comprising 16,366 women (27.89%) and 42,322 men (72.11%). These figures demonstrate that Rwandans have become increasingly aware of the importance of voluntary blood donation a civic commitment that is clearly shared by the ILPD community.

Ivan Muhwezi, an international student from Uganda who was donating blood for the fourth time, explained that he donates because he knows firsthand how critical every unit is. 

"Many patients in hospitals need blood transfusions. This is something that can affect anyone you may have a family member or a friend who suddenly needs help," Muhwezi said. 

He shared that back home, the landscape is quite different: "In Uganda, the number of voluntary blood donors is still very low, and many hospitals experience serious shortages." He added that he was highly impressed by the efficiency of Rwanda’s blood donation system, describing the process as "well-planned and fast."

For Rosine Mutoniwase, this drive marked her very first donation. She was motivated by seeing acquaintances that had previously required transfusions, and she urged organizers to continue public awareness campaigns to dispel common misconceptions.

"No one in my immediate family has ever needed a blood transfusion, but I know people who have. I decided to donate because I understand that many patients depend on it," Mutoniwase explained. "I believe fear is one of the main barriers keeping people away, but there is really no reason to be afraid since donating blood does not harm one's health."

The Rector of ILPD, Dr. Aimé Muyoboke Karimunda, highlighted that Article 21 of the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda guarantees every citizen the right to good health. Crucially, he noted that it also establishes a shared civic duty: "Every citizen has a responsibility to participate in activities that promote public health, which includes supporting healthcare institutions by ensuring a safe and adequate blood supply."

The Rector further explained that providing high-quality healthcare means having the correct blood types available locally and without delay a goal that can only be sustained through consistent, voluntary donations. 

"Given that ILPD’s student and staff population consists largely of healthy young people, their contributions can make a significant, lasting impact on the national healthcare system," Dr. Karimunda stated. 

While this was the first formal blood donation campaign organized at ILPD, the institution has announced plans to make it a regular initiative moving forward.