Lara Adejoro
Recent data show that more people are dying from lack of access to blood and blood products than from communicable diseases in developing countries, according to the Director General of the National Blood Service Commission, Prof Saleh Yuguda.
He stated this in Abuja on Friday at the 2024 World Blood Donor Day Celebration themed, ’20 years of celebrating giving: Thank you, blood donors!’
Two decades ago, the World Health Organisation established WBDD to raise awareness about the critical importance of voluntary non-remunerated blood donation, the need for safe blood and blood products, and to appreciate blood donors for their voluntary life-saving gift of blood.
The WHO recommends that all activities related to blood collection, testing, processing, storage, and distribution be coordinated at the national level through effective organisation and integrated blood supply networks.
In Nigeria, the NBSC was established in 2021 through the NBSC Act, 2021, with the mandate to coordinate, regulate, and ensure the provision of quality blood, blood products, and services in line with the National Health Plan.
Communicable, or infectious diseases, are caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi that can be spread directly or indirectly, from one person to another.
Some are transmitted through insect bites while others are caused by ingesting contaminated food or water.
Communicable diseases are HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections, and neglected tropical diseases, among others.
Yuguda said blood transfusion plays a critical role in healthcare and benefits patients who face life-threatening conditions.
He said, “Transfusion of blood and blood products help patients live longer and with higher quality of life. Additionally, blood transfusion supports complex medical and surgical procedures thus making it indispensable in maternal and child care and during man-made and natural disasters.
“Recent data indicates that more people are dying from lack of access to blood and blood products (because of road traffic accidents, obstetric hemorrhage, cancer-related bone marrow suppression, etc) than communicable diseases in developing countries.
“Regular blood donations are needed all over the world to ensure individuals and communities have access to safe and quality-assured blood and blood products. Access to safe blood and blood products is also essential for universal health coverage and is a key component of effective systems.”
Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate revealed that data on the donation rate in Nigeria shows that more than 80 per cent of blood collected is from family replacement and commercial blood donors.
He said empirical evidence shows that the most reliable and safest source of blood comes from a stable base of regular, voluntary, unpaid blood donors rather than from commercial sources.
Pate, who was represented by the Director of Health Planning, Research, and Statistics at the ministry, Dr Chris Isokpunwu said Nigeria’s estimated blood need is about two million units yearly.
He said, “According to WHO 2023, out of the 118.5 million blood donations collected globally, 40 per cent of these are from high-income countries, which is about 16 per cent of the world’s population.
“However, data on the donation rate in Nigeria shows that more than 80 per cent of blood collected is from family replacement and commercial blood donors. Empirical evidence shows that the most reliable and safest source of blood comes from a stable base of regular, voluntary, unpaid blood donors rather than from commercial sources.
“The World Health Assembly resolution WHA63.12 urges all Member States to develop national blood systems based on voluntary unpaid donations and to work towards the goal of self-sufficiency.”
The minister noted that the use of blood and blood products has become an integral part of modern medical practice as access to safe blood and blood products is a key component of an effective health system.
“With a population of over 200 million, Nigeria’s estimated blood need is about two million units per annum.
“Unfortunately, much less is currently donated, leading to avoidable deaths, morbidities, or ill health, particularly among our womenfolk, newborns, and children, and victims of road traffic accidents and insurgencies.
This situation can improve if only one per cent of our country’s adult population commits themselves to voluntary non-remunerated blood donation regularly.”
The minister appealed for the practice of voluntary non-remunerated blood donations to enhance blood safety and quality.
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