This paper seeks to examine the relationship between determinants of blood transfusion sustainability (BTS) that is master production scheduling (MPS) and total quality management (TQM) of Uganda. The study was founded on four objectives. The study looked at the direct relationship between MPS and the BTS, direct relationship between MPS and TQM, direct relationship between TQM and BTS. It also assessed how TQM mediated the direct relationship between MPS and BTS. The study used a quantitative method. A survey questionnaire was administered to collect data from 367 staff of regional blood banks and government university teaching hospital blood banks; and 213 were found to be usable. The main analysis was done using structural equation modeling. The study found that MPS had a positive and significant relationship with the BTS. The study found that the relationship between MPS and TQM was positive and significant. The study also found that the relationship between TQM and BTS was positive and significant. The study concluded that the effect of MPS on BTS was not mediated by TQM. It was recommended that blood banks seeking to achieve transfusion sustainability must invest in understanding the sector in which they operate. This includes understanding the blood demand requirement, customer focus, people involvement and timely delivery. The various stakeholders in the blood supply chain i.e. blood banks, hospital blood banks, funding agents, ministry of health, must also integrate to enhance the transfusion sustainability. Blood banks performance measures essentially timely delivery was very critical for saving lives of patients in need of blood. The study has provided a new conceptual framework that investigates the TQM mediating effect on the relationship of MPS and BTS, and thus can serve as an incentive for more research to be conducted in this regard in blood banks of different developing countries. The authors also proposed identifying the effect of other TQM factors such as process management, system management, supplier relationship and top management on BTS.

This study aims to examine total quality management, regulation, and blood production relationships of blood banks in Uganda. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 146 randomly selected respondents. The model was validated using Smart PLS-SEM analysis. The findings indicate that both total quality management and regulation have a significant and positive influence on blood production, accounting for a 17.8% variation at a 95% confidence interval. Regulation exhibited no mediation effect in the relationship between total quality management and blood production. Total quality management and regulation are essential factors enhancing blood production. Prioritizing total quality management practices in areas such as determining and meeting customer needs; customer and employee satisfaction surveys; and market research can optimize blood production. This study contributes to the blood bank management knowledge body and identifies areas to support blood production. Blood bank managers can apply these insights to improve operational performance.