The National Blood Service Commission has appealed for stronger synergy with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC )in order to achieve its statutory objectives.
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The Director-General of the Commission, Dr Omale Joseph Amedu disclosed this when he paid a courtesy visit to NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim in his office in Abuja.
He said Nigerians need more sensitisation on the importance of safe blood donation in order to save lives.
Amedu further said that there is urgent need for collaboration between the NBSC and NYSC, because the core function of the National Blood Service Commission rests on advocacy, sensitization and enlightenment.
He said NYSC is a national brand with representation in the nooks and crannies of the country, hence, the need for Corps Members as strategic partners for effective sensitization.
“If we have a collaboration with the NYSC we are sure that the issue of advocacy will be a thing of the past.
Because of this we need a lot of sensitization and advocacy to get to our clients to demystify the enromous belief that donating blood has effect on the people.
The Act of the commission 2021 has empowered the commission to regulate, coordinate and ensure the donation of blood and blood products in Nigeria, he said”.
He added the three key mandates would enable the commission to regulate those that would venture into blood business and also encourage Nigerians to know that blood can be a viable business if the rules are followed.
The NBSC boss said the commission is planning a One Million Safe Blood initiative which would lead to a national blood reserve in the six geo-political zones of the country.
He sought for permission from NYSC Management to give health talks to Corps Members while at the Orientation Camps and also sensitize them to be vanguards that would sentitize Nigerians on the benefits of safe blood donation.
Dr Amedu also said the commission would establish safe blood clubs in various institutions.
In his response, the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu lbrahim commended Dr Amedu and his team for the achievement recorded so far on sensitization and advocacy.
He pledged the readiness of the Scheme to partner the commission in actualising its mandate.
He added that Corps Members are loaded with potentials that are being harnessed for national development.
“I assure you of our support and cooperation. In NYSC we are very proactive and work with timeline“, he said.
