Owing to the rapid turnaround time in the assessment of haemoglobin level by point-of-care (POC) tests, it has grown in popularity and scope in large parts of the world. However, whilst POC testing for malaria and HIV remains has been integrated into patient management in Africa, the use of POC haemoglobin testing has remains neglected by health services. The main users of transfusions (paediatric, maternity and trauma services) present largely as emergencies. Ward-based POCHb could result in more rapid and accurate diagnosis of anaemia, contributing to saving of lives and at the same time reduce unnecessary transfusions which deplete the limited supplies of donated blood in Africa. Severe anaemia requiring transfusion is a major cause of paediatric admission in Africa. A dissemination meeting to discuss the results of a large phase III paediatric transfusion trial and steps to implementation of the findings members strongly recommended that one of the most pressing actions required was to prioritise the use of POC haemoglobin testing. This would facilitate implementation of the new transfusion algorithm, developed at the meeting which refine patient management including blood transfusions. We present the rationale for strongly recommended prioritization of POCHb, using paediatric transfusion as an examplar.