Health

Do not Sell your Blood, NBSC Appeals to Nigerians

By Web News 444

By Fasilat Lawal

Nigerians should continue to support blood donation as it is a critical life-saving humanitarian service.

The Acting Zonal Director, Southwest National Blood Service Commission NBSC Ibadan Dr Oladapo Aworanti, a Consultant Hematologist, stated this at the NBSC office, Total Garden Ibadan to mark National Blood Donor Day.

Dr Aworanti explained that the NBSC would like more Nigerians to come forward and donate blood to help those in dire need of it.

While urging those willing to donate to shun any myths or misconceptions about voluntary blood donations, Dr Aworanti explained that the donation process involved thorough testing to ascertain if willing donors are fit to donate to safeguard their health.

“These are the challenges we face if you speak to people to donate blood they would tell you how much blood do I have? which is wrong. We will get you tested before you can donate, and during testing, you will get the advantage of knowing your blood group along with any other relevant information.

The Acting Zonal Director of NBSC Ibadan said this year’s event which is the second edition in the country was meant to create more awareness on blood donation so that NBSC would have more blood at its banks, especially when needed in emergency cases.

 “We are moving towards the end of the year and lots of activities happen towards the end of the year, we don’t want a situation where we won’t be able to save blood.

“You can see what happened in Kaduna’s recent bomb explosions. NBSC supported the victims. If we don’t have blood in our commercial Banks and blood banks, where we keep blood how can we donate and save lives? ”Hence the need to create more awareness“

Speaking on the theme ‘Blood Donation the Real Act of Humanity, Dr Aworanti emphasized that donors are life savers, pointing out that NBSC was working on a modality of appreciating them.

“NBSC is working on a modality that will send a thank you message to appreciate and inform donors that their service to humanity saved a particular age group. I think this would make the  donors to come back and donate.”

The Consultant Hematologist said further that the Commission would soon embark on public school sensitization, appealing to Nigerians not to monetize their blood, but to visit appropriate facilities for voluntary blood donation.

Dr Aworanti added that with the creation of National Blood Donor Day, the statistics of blood donors in the country had slightly increased, and expressed hope that with more sensitization, there would be sufficient units of blood at blood banks.

Also, a Rotarian, Mrs Kemi Akinpelu decried the low rate of blood donation in the country, stressing that sensitizing the public would lead to more donations.

Two donors, Mr Akamu Nurudeen and Mr Oladeji  Olatunji who spoke to Radio Nigeria expressed happiness for donating blood to save lives:
“When I donate blood I don’t feel sick and avoid heart attack “
I look healthy when I donate blood”
National Blood Donor Day was instituted last year by former President Muhammad Buhari to boost blood donation in the country.

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Health

Stakeholders Advocates Volountary Blood Donation to Save Lives

By Web News 633

Southwest zonal coordinator of National Blood Transfusion Services NBTS, Dr Oladapo Aworanti stated this during a visit to the premises of Radio Nigeria Ibadan Broadcasting House Dugbe.


Dr Aworanti who solicited the support of Radio Nigeria at enlightening the public on the importance of blood donation said all necessary tests as well as ascertaining that there was enough blood in the body system would be carried out before the exercise.


Responding, Acting Zonal Director FRCN Ibadan Zonal Station Mrs Bolanle Owoyemi pleged the station’s readiness to collaborate with NBTS on the enlightenment campaign.


Mrs Owoyemi appealed to members of the public not to be scared and desist from discouraging one another as donating blood was not as scary as people thought.

Lilian Ibomor

Health

WBD 2021: Donate Blood To Save Lives

By Web News 589

On 14th June every year, global attention is given to the act of blood donation.

This is to raise awareness on the need for safe blood and blood products needed for transfusion.

The day also brings to the fore the important roles played by voluntary unpaid blood donors towards improved health care delivery.

Moreover, the observance of world blood donors’ day provides an opportunity to ginger government and relevant stakeholders to provide adequate resources to promote collection of blood from voluntary non remunerated donors.

Millions of lives are saved yearly through transfusion while at the same time improving the quality of lives of patients who are terminally ill.

Blood is vital also for treating the wounded during emergencies like natural disasters, accidents, and armed conflicts. it is essential for maternal and prenatal care.

Although the need for blood is universal, access to blood by all who need it, is not.

Many countries of the world and Nigeria experience blood shortages in critical times.

Statistics show that only four percent of the Nigerian population donates blood voluntarily while more than ninety percent of annual blood donation is from commercial blood donors.

With this figure, the likelihood of transfusing infections like hepatitis b and c, HIV and syphilis are high.

To prevent this from happening, there is need to raise aggressive campaign against such practices while encouraging more Nigerians to embrace voluntary blood donation.

At present, the country contributes about twenty five percent to global maternal mortality rate.

However, adequate blood supply from non remunerated donors will lead to reduction in maternal and child mortality rates.

Kudos must be given to blood donors who have continued to provide services despite the outbreak of the covid 19 pandemic. More donors are still needed to come on board

Focusing on the slogan” gives blood and keep  the world beating”, this year attention is given to the essential contribution blood donors make to keep the world pulsating by saving lives.

Donating blood is not as scary as some people presume a mini physical examination will be carried out first to ensure that the donor is healthy and have enough blood to donate.

Secondly, only a pint of blood per person will be collected and afterwards, the donor gets some refreshments to get back to his normal life.

There is no gainsaying the fact that blood transfusion remains a cornerstone for effective health care delivery in any country.

To this end blood transfusion centers across the country should be adequately funded while there should be constant power supply to preserve the products.

Now, more than ever before is the time to donate blood, hence, people who are willing to make the world a better place to live in should give it a consideration.

In the words of mother Theresa “don’t look for big things, just do small things with great love”

You never can tell who the beneficiary of that donated blood could be.

Anthonia Akanji

News

Donor Day: Essential of Ensuring Availability of Blood

By Web News 1888

Timely availability of blood and blood products is essential in all health facilities in which transfusion is performed, hence the need for blood donation.

To this end, the World Health Organisation, WHO, set aside every 14th of June as World Blood Donor Day.

The day is to celebrate voluntary unpaid blood donors and raise awareness on the same.

In this special report, health correspondent, Titilayo Kupoliyi x-rays the importance of blood donation.