Improving blood supply in Bandundu (Kwango) through electricity-free blood bank technology, Democratic Republic of Congo
THE CHALLENGE
In the Bandundu (Kwango) region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, there is a critical shortage of reliable blood supply due to the lack of electricity needed for traditional blood bank refrigeration. This problem is exacerbated in conflict-affected communities where infrastructure is often damaged or nonexistent.
THE SOLUTION
Kazadi Enterprises Ltd. is developing an innovative, electricity-free cooling technology for blood banking. This technology uses environmental heat as an energy source through a modified sorption refrigeration process designed specifically for low-resource settings. It can be manufactured, sold, and maintained locally, utilizing local materials and equipment. The system “recharges” the sorption material using heat extracted directly from the air, making it highly reliable even in areas with intermittent solar power, grid failures, or energy storage issues.
This new cooling technology seeks to improve the transportation, preservation, and distribution of blood for transfusions, ultimately enhancing the blood supply system in the region, improving health outcomes and saving the lives of those affected by significant instability and attacks on civilian populations.