Celebrating the Lifesaving Generosity of Blood Donors

Abuja, When Kemi Adesina donated blood for the first time, she didn’t demand a call of appreciation. A colleague had shared an urgent put an explain to for O-negative blood on WhatsApp. Radiant her blood form matched, Kemi volunteered.

“I did it as a result of it felt like the honest element to achieve,” said Kemi, a 28-year-extinct office assistant.

At the blood bank, the technician outlined that her O-negative blood became once rare and urgently wished to take care of a particular person injured in a bus accident.

“I despise needles,” she said. “But I’m ecstatic I went via with it. It saved a life.”

“Donating blood on a standard foundation and voluntarily is an act of charity and kindness,” said Muhammad Abdulrahman, a standard donor who has given blood more than 30 occasions. 

“There is often any individual in need. That alone retains me going,” he said.

Blood and blood products are famous for both routine medical care and emergencies. Nevertheless, gain entry to to safe blood stays restricted in many low- and middle-earnings countries. In Nigeria, handiest 30% of the nationwide blood requirement is met, primarily via family substitute or paid donations. Voluntary, unpaid donations ticket up true 10% of the blood amassed.

With a inhabitants of over 200 million, Nigeria needs about 1.8 million objects of blood every year. Blood shortages often pressure families to snort to informal networks, and they face delays, unsafe blood, and high costs whereas awaiting transfusions.

As soon as a year on 14 June, the world celebrates World Blood Donor Day to thank voluntary donors and elevate awareness of the need for safe blood.

This year’s theme—”Give blood, give hope: together we save lives”—highlights the significance of solidarity in blood donation.

“At the motivate of every donation is a anecdote of hope and healing,” said Dr Alex Chimbaru, Officer-in-Ticket, WHO Nigeria. “We significantly speed childhood to donate. Wholesome childhood are key to building a solid custom of voluntary blood donation.”

Dr Chimbaru, reiterated WHO’s commitment to supporting the authorities in strengthening nationwide blood programs and rising gain entry to to safe, quality-assured blood products. This contains bettering donor education, retention, and recognition.

In Nigeria, WHO has partnered with the National Blood Carrier Company (NBSA), the United Nations (UN) Sanatorium, and UNICEF to behavior annual blood drives among UN workers. These efforts aim to rob awareness and make contributions to a pick up and sufficient blood offer in the country.

WHO also supports quality development of blood providers in Nigeria via initiatives like the African Society for Blood Transfusion’s Stepwise Accreditation Programme, which helps be positive safe blood series and employ.

World Blood Donor Day, first established by WHO in 2004, continues to honour the selfless folks who give blood freely to keep lives.

Each blood donation can keep as a lot as 3 lives.