The Nigerian government has appealed for more voluntary blood donors in the country.
The Ministry of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, made the call in an event in Abuja, to commemorate the World Blood Donor Day.
He said that “given the rise in emergencies globally, the demand for safe blood and blood products has been on the increase and therefore, access to safe, and affordable blood products is crucial.”
According to him, it is important that Nigeria has adequate supply of blood and blood products to meet the increase in demand.
“This will help substantially reduce the mortality associated with life threatening diseases, trauma cases from victims of road accidents, casualties of bomb blasts, anaemia in children, bleeding in pregnancy and childbirth women, victims of insurgency, conflict, and tragic building collapses”, Dr. Ehanire said.
He noted that the World Blood Donor Day highlights the essential contribution regular voluntary blood donors make to keep the world pulsating by saving lives and improving the health of others.
The Minister said; “This is a special day set aside to appreciate “Our Heroes” who voluntarily donate blood to save the lives of those in need especially given the times we are in and raise awareness on the need for safe blood and blood products around the world.”
According to the Minister, the theme for this year’s campaign is aimed at the very essence of voluntary unpaid blood donations as the “Live-wire” of mankind and reiterates its life-saving function with the slogan “Give blood and keep the world beating”.
“About 118.5 million blood units are collected annually worldwide with only 15% from voluntary unpaid donors.
“Here in Nigeria, less than 5% of all blood donations come from voluntary unpaid donors. Every country must have a strong base of voluntary unpaid donors in order to ensure that everyone who needs safe blood has access to it, ” Dr Ehanire added.
The National Coordinator of the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), Dr. Omale Amedu, said the agency is charged with the mandate of regulating, coordinating, and ensuring safe, quality, and affordable blood and blood products to all who may need it.
“In order to achieve its mandate, NBTS has rolled out a 10-year strategic plan which includes the one million Safe Blood Units Initiative to ensure an increase in the number of voluntary unpaid donations, to meet the rising needs for safe blood and blood “products across the country, “Dr. Amedu said.
He also said that “NBTS is in close collaboration with critical stakeholders in advocacy, sensitisation and enlightenment such as NOA, NYSC, NUC and Media, as well as emergency response organisations such as Nigeria Medical Association, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, the Nigeria Red Cross Society and many NGOs, to ensure the implementation of the One Million Safe Blood Units Initiative, to achieve adequate non remunerated blood donations in Nigeria.”
In this year’s campaign, the World Health Organisation reiterates the role of young people in ensuring a safe blood supply.
It enjoins all nations of the world to thank blood donors, create a wider public awareness on the need for regular unpaid donations, encourage youths to embrace the humanitarian call to donate blood and inspire others to do the same as well as promote community values of blood donation.
Speaking on the day, the WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Mulombo, called on countries to appreciate blood donors.
Mulombo also said that “safe blood transfusion is a key aspect in providing quality care to safe mothers hemorrhaging during child birth and people with serious injuries.”
He commended all those who have continued to give their blood to save the lives of others.
The theme of the 2021 World Blood Donor Day is “Give blood and keep the world beating”.
Two blood donor champions, Mr Nathan Akpan and Ms Hajara Isa, were given awards for their consistency in blood donation and being the highest donors.
While Akpan has donated blood for 67 times, Ms Isa has donated 31 times so far.
The two winners encourage other youths in the country to volunteer to donate blood and safe lives.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
