Angela Onwuzoo Physicians in the field of transfusion medicine have asked Nigerians not to allow the economic downturn to discourage them from voluntarily donating blood. The haematologists said blood still has to be donated and not manufactured despite the advancement in medicine. The senior health professionals said irrespective of the situation in Nigeria, except Nigerians cultivate the habit of regular voluntary blood donation, there will continue to be a shortage of blood in blood banks.
Blood transfusion The blood transfusion experts said people should voluntarily walk into the blood transfusion service unit, get tested and if found fit, should voluntarily donate to the pool of life. According to the National Blood Service Commission, currently, less than five per cent of the total blood donation is sourced from voluntary donors in Nigeria, and the rest are from paid commercial donors, subjecting recipients to the risk of infections such as HIV, hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, syphilis, and others. NBSC in data published on its website said 95 per cent of the blood sourced from paid commercial and family replacement donors is what we have in Nigeria.
The haematologists, who spoke exclusively to PUNCH Healthwise said voluntary blood donation is all about voluntarily giving one’s blood to save lives whether there is hunger in the land or not. The World Health Organisation says blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person – the gift of life. WHO Blo.
