A member of the Nigerian House of Representatives says the establishment of the National Blood Service Commission would provide the opportunity to coordinate, regulate and ensure the provision of quality blood and blood products in the country.
Dr. Abbas Tajuddeen, a member from Kaduna State, who sponsored the bill, now act, to that effect was commenting on the recent assent to the bill, describing it as commendable.
Dr. Tajuddeen while reiterating the National Assembly’s commitment to the wellbeing of Nigerians said the commission was part of policy development effort to improve the nation’s health care delivery system.
“The Act which was passed by the two Chambers of the National Assembly last year and assented by President Muhammadu Buhari shows the priority the President gives to the health sector.” Dr. Tajuddeen stressed.
The Director General of the National Blood Service Commission, Dr. Omale Joseph, says the commission is working to ensure that at each point in time, Nigeria has a minimum of one million safe blood in place.
Dr. Joseph who urged Nigerians to imbibe the culture of blood donation, said apart from saving lives, people that donate blood are healthier than those that don’t.
“With the commission, it is expected that death due to road accidents and maternal mortality would be drastically reduced while it will educate the public on the essence and implication of donating blood.” Dr. Joseph added.
The Commission according to Dr. Joseph is planning an initiatives to produce blood components for a specific as well as plasma derived-medicinal products that would generate more revenue for Nigeria
National Blood Service Commission collects and screens blood as well as dispatch the blood to hospitals across the country, for emergency needs.
