By The PPH Foundation

When conversations about maternal deaths arise, the issue of blood availability often sparks strong reactions. Yet the more important question is not who is at fault, but whether the public fully understands how closely postpartum haemorrhage is linked to timely access to safe blood.

Postpartum haemorrhage, PPH, is the leading cause of maternal deaths globally. It occurs when a woman experiences severe bleeding after childbirth. In some cases, the bleeding can escalate rapidly, within minutes. Clinical interventions such as uterotonics, surgical procedures, and skilled emergency care are critical. But when blood loss is significant, transfusion becomes lifesaving.

This is where the public health dimension becomes essential. Blood does not appear on hospital shelves by default. It depends on voluntary donors, proper screening, safe storage, reliable transport systems, and coordinated distribution networks. When any part of this chain is strained, whether due to low donation rates, increased demand, or logistical challenges, maternal outcomes can be affected.

Prof Julius Ogengo, Co-Lead of the End Postpartum Haemorrhage Initiative, emphasizes that the conversation must remain grounded in science and systems strengthening. “Postpartum haemorrhage can become fatal very quickly if not managed promptly. While prevention and early clinical management are key, access to safe blood is often the final line of defence when bleeding is severe. A resilient blood system is therefore not optional; it is central to maternal survival,” he says.

An educative approach helps communities understand that blood systems are part of maternal health preparedness. Facilities may have skilled obstetricians and trained midwives, but without timely access to blood, their ability to manage severe PPH is limited. The conversation therefore, shifts from blame to collective responsibility.

Institutions tasked with blood collection and distribution play a vital role in safeguarding lives. At the same time, sustained public awareness and regular voluntary blood donation are equally critical. Strengthening these systems requires partnership, policy support, adequate financing, and community participation.

Ultimately, when the public understands that donating blood can directly help prevent maternal deaths, the narrative becomes empowering. Protecting mothers is a shared responsibility, and a resilient blood system is one of the strongest defenses against preventable loss.

Sources
World Health Organization, Maternal mortality fact sheets and PPH guidelines
Kenya Ministry of Health, National Blood Transfusion Services reports
Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society, Clinical guidance on management of postpartum haemorrhage

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