A BLOOD GIVER, A LIFE SAVER

Nigeria is grappling with a critical shortage of safe blood products, collecting only 500,000 pints annually against an estimated need of 1.8 million pints, as reported by the World Health Organization. This significant shortfall, representing a 73.3% deficit, leaves many hospitals and patients dependent on commercial donors.

Despite the global observance of Blood Donor Day on June 14th with the theme 'One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives,' awareness campaigns in Nigeria have been insufficient. Voluntary blood donation rates hover below 10%, a stark contrast to countries like Uganda, Egypt, and Kenya, which have achieved 100% voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation.

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Nigeria needs an average of 1.8 million pints of blood annually whereas the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) collects only 500,000 pints of blood, a shortfall of about 73.3 per cent.

Medical practitioners emphasize the vital need for blood transfusions for various patients, including accident victims, surgical patients, and those with blood disorders like sickle cell anemia and hemophilia. Women, particularly during antenatal care and childbirth, are significant recipients, accounting for at least 53% of blood collected. Professor Suleiman Akanmu of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, stated that "80-90 percent of maternal mortality is as a result of bleeding complications that we are not able to manage due to shortage of blood."

There is an urgent call for enhanced public enlightenment partnerships between health authorities, the media, and civil societies. This initiative aims to address myths and misconceptions surrounding blood donation, such as its alleged use in rituals. Medically, regular blood donation is considered safe and beneficial for the donor's health.

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In Nigeria, 80-90 per cent of maternal mortality is as a result of bleeding complications that we are not able to manage due to shortage of blood.