Expert Raises Alarm Over Shortage Of Blood Banks In Nigeria In 2022
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The acting Director-General, National Blood Service Commission, Dr Omale Amedu lamented the shortage of blood.
Amedu told health news correspondents on Thursday that the deficit in Nigeria’s blood bank is alarming.
Speaking at the NBSC mandate in Abuja, he said the deficit could not cater for the over 200 million population in Nigeria.
He explained that the country’s large population requires safe blood and blood products for emergency use.
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His words:
“There is a great deficit in blood bank that we have currently.
“Having a population of over 200 million Nigerians, we are expected to have a minimum of two million safe blood units per annum, but as I speak to you we have only about 25,000 safe blood units in our record.
“So we really need Nigerians to volunteer blood freely because you never can tell, who needs blood, we need to be prepared.”
Benefits of Blood Donation
The medical doctor mentioned two benefits of blood donation to blood donors.
According to him, blood donations revitalise the body. He added that it boosts the overall health status of the blood donor.
The Director-General said the NBSC mandate was geared towards:
He continued:
“Our target is to increase blood units collected from voluntary non-remunerated donors and sensitise Nigerians on the one million Safe Blood Units Initiative.
“Such that blood units collected will increase from 25,000 to one million by 2023 and three million by 2030.”
The Head of Planning, Research and Statistics, NBSC, Dr Adeze Oreh said the mandate of the board was to sensitize the public about blood donations.
According to her, this would enable Nigeria to achieve Universal Health Coverage. Also, the country would attain the Sustainable Development Goals.
She confirmed accessibility to safe blood. The doctor added that Nigerians would understand the role of multi-sector stakeholders in boosting the blood transfusion value chain.
The Health Minister, Dr Osagie Ehanire lauded the workshop. He noted the sensitisation gap in blood donation in Nigeria. Osagie said it was important for citizens to embrace blood donation.
He labelled blood donation a “lifesaver”.
Osagie urged stakeholders to work assiduously to ensure the availability of safe and quality blood.
Ehanire was represented by the Senior Special Technical Assistant in the ministry Dr Chris Isokonwe.
Source: PUNCH HealthWise
