By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
As Nigeria marks the 2025 National Blood Donor Day, the Director General of the National Blood Service Agency, NBSA, Prof. Saleh Yuguda has joined stakeholders to call for urgent and more voluntary blood donations nationwide as Nigeria’s faces a shortage of 40% of national needs.
Prof.Yuguda highlighted the challenges caused by blood shortage, particularly in times of emergencies.
“Blood shortage affects critical areas such as emergency trauma care, management of mothers during childbirth, and children under five more and more, especially during the face of severe infections and anemias.”
He sounded this warning , on Monday in Abuja at a Symposium/ Media Parley to mark the National Blood Donor Day 2025, with the theme: ” From Headlines to Lifelines: Media Advocacy for Voluntary Blood Donation”- Slogan: Your Story Could Save A Live”.
Prof. Yuguda said, “We are still yet to provide up to 40% of our national needs. So if you look at it, we have a very big shortfall in the supply of the blood.”
He lamented that part of the challenges in blood service is that blood safety can not be guaranteed due to the fragmented nature of blood service in Nigeria, which forces, noting that because of these deficits and other challenges, many hospitals and patients are forced to rely on emergency replacement donation, mainly from the families and commercial donors and as well.”
“This type of donors poses big challenge in terms of safety, because we cannot guarantee the quality of life if they are living with you or not.”
“We also have cases of surgeries, management of cancers and other chronic conditions that are faced with these challenges of shortage of quality blood across the country, these figures makes it clear, While means our supply, every uncollected unit translate into risk”, he said.
The NBSA Director General, urged Nigerians to come on board to help close the gap in blood storage through voluntary donations.
“A culture of momentary non remunerated as a civic duty. Change challenge, yes, it is safe, yes, it is needed, and yes, one donation has saved multiple lives”, he emphasized.
However, Prof. Yuguda called on the media through their reportage to allay a lot of misconception about blood donation, some because of cultural reasons, some because of safety of donating blood, and some even because of our religious beliefs.behavioral change.
Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister of Health and social welfare, Professor Ali Pate, represented by the Director Dentistry Division, Dr. Gloria Uzoigwe stated that to combat consistent shortage of blood donation in Nigeria citizens must step forward to donate consistently, safely and generously.
Prof. Pate, however beckoned on the media to change the narratives of blood donation because citizens can only do so based their belive and trust.
He noted that the media possess the actionable tools that shape public understanding, adding that no national health intervention can succeed without strong public awareness and positive social mobilization.
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