Health

Donate blood regularly to save more lives – Dr Kotila

By Web News 656

Nigerians have been advised to imbibe the culture of donating blood regularly and voluntarily to save lives.

A medical practitioner at the Department of Haematology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Dr Taiwo Kotila, gave the advice at an interactive session among stakeholders in blood transfusion ahead of this year’s World Blood Donor Day.

Dr Kotila, who is the resource person at an interactive session, held at National Blood Service Commission, Southwest Zonal Centre Ibadan, explained that blood donation was a challenge yet to be overcome in the country. 

She noted that failure to decongest excess blood in the human body would not give way to new blood formation in the body.

Earlier, in an address of welcome, the Zonal Director, National Blood Commission, Southwest Zonal Centre, Dr Oladapo Aworanti affirmed that the interactive session was organized to deliberate among stakeholders in the health sector on ways to increase blood donation and to create more awareness about it.

The interactive witnessed questions and answers sessions, with stakeholders calling for adequate public sensitization on the benefits of blood donation.

Fasilat Lawal

Health

Avoid Activities that could endanger your lives- Acting Zonal Director, NBSC

By Web News 808

The Acting Zonal Director, National Blood Service Commission, NBSC Southwest, Dr Oladapo Aworanti has advised  Nigerians not to engage in activities that could make them need blood during this festive season.

He said motorists particularly should not drink while driving while everyone should be cautious in all their activities.

The NBSC boss explained that this warning became necessary because the units of blood generated monthly could still not sustain blood needs in hospitals.

“Things has really improved compared to what it was as NBTS. The maximum blood donation for a month then was about two hundred to two hundred and thirty units but the figure is more than four hundred monthly now”.

On the service charge per unit of blood, Dr Aworanti said the amount remained eight thousand naira in Ibadan and all NBSC centre’s across the country.

The NBSC boss explained that very soon, laboratories involved in blood transfusion would need to be registered and accredited as a way to guarantee the safety of blood for recipients.

While appreciating Radio Nigeria and other media organizations for their support, Dr Aworanti called on Nigerians to embrace voluntary blood donation as a way of life.

Anthonia Akanji.