Blood donation briefly provide in Nigeria, as minister requires assist

As Nigeria marks the twentieth anniversary of World Blood Donor Day, the Coordinating Minister of Well being and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, has appealed to Nigerians to extend voluntary blood donations, because the nation faces a scarcity of blood provide donations.

Mr Pate made the decision on Friday on the 2024 World Blood Donor Day press briefing organised by the Nationwide Blood Service Fee.

The minister, represented by the Appearing Everlasting Secretary of the ministry, Chris Isokpunwu, stated Nigeria’s blood scarcity is resulting in avoidable deaths and ailments.

“Sadly, a lot much less is at the moment donated, resulting in avoidable deaths, morbidities, or ailing well being, notably amongst our womenfolk, newborns, and kids, and victims of highway site visitors accidents and insurgencies,” he stated.

Blood donation

Citing information from WHO, Mr Pate famous that out of the 118.5 million blood donations collected globally, 40 per cent of those are from high-income nations.

He stated in accordance with WHO 2023, out of the 118.5 million blood donations collected globally, 40 per cent of those are from high-income nations, which is about 16 per cent of the world’s inhabitants.

“Nonetheless, information on the donation charge in Nigeria exhibits that greater than 80 per cent of blood collected is from household alternative and industrial blood donors,” he stated.

He additional said that WHO suggested that blood assortment, testing, processing, storage, and distribution actions be coordinated nationally by way of built-in blood provide networks, ruled by a nationwide blood coverage and legislative framework to make sure uniform high quality and security requirements.

The minister famous that analysis has proven that the most secure and most dependable supply of blood comes from common, voluntary donors, fairly than paid donors.

He stated the World Well being Meeting has urged nations to develop blood programs based mostly on voluntary donations, aiming for self-sufficiency.

“Entry to secure blood and blood merchandise is a key part of an efficient well being system and a major constructing block for the profitable achievement of health-related Sustainable Growth Objectives,” he stated.

“With a inhabitants of over 200 million, Nigeria’s estimated blood want is about 2 million items yearly.”

“Blood infusion essential to the well being sector”

In his goodwill message, the Director Common of the Nationwide Blood Service Fee, Saleh Yuguda, emphasised the necessity for normal, unpaid blood donations to make sure common entry to secure blood transfusion.

Mr Yuguda famous that blood transfusion is an important part of healthcare, offering life-saving help to sufferers going through extreme medical situations.

He defined that by receiving blood and blood merchandise, sufferers can prolong their lives and revel in improved high quality of life.

ALSO READ: WBDD: Blood donations in Africa nonetheless decrease than demand — WHO

He added blood transfusion performs an important function in facilitating advanced medical and surgical procedures, making it important in maternal and little one care, in addition to throughout pure disasters and man-made crises.

“Just lately information signifies that extra persons are dying from lack of entry to blood and blood merchandise (due to RTA, obstetric haemorrhage, cancer-related bone marrow suppression and so on) than communicable ailments in creating nations,” he stated.

World Blood Donor Day

The minister famous that the World Well being Organisation (WHO) established World Blood Donor Day 20 years in the past to advertise voluntary blood donation and secure blood practices.

Talking on the 2024 theme: “20 Years of Celebrating Giving: Thank You, Blood Donors”, Mr Pate famous that it permits appreciating the kindness of donors.

He stated: “This present day provides us the chance to rejoice the progress made and the lives saved as a result of selflessness of blood donors worldwide. Blood donation is a gesture of kindness, a logo of solidarity, and a testomony to humanity’s capability for compassion.

“Each blood donation is a valuable present. Every donation has the potential to avoid wasting as much as three lives, making blood donors true heroes amongst us.

“I wish to specific my deepest gratitude to each one in every of you who’ve rolled up your sleeves to donate blood. Your kindness, compassion, and dedication to serving to others are really admirable”.