Less than 4% of eligible Nigerians donate blood –NBTS

The National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) has expressed concern over the lack of commitment to blood donation by Nigerians.

The organisation said less than four per cent of eligible adults donate blood in Nigeria.

The NBTS National Coordinator, Dr Omale Joseph Amedu, who disclosed this in Abeokuta, Ogun State, blamed the development on scepticism, lack of awareness and deep cultural myths and misconception on voluntary blood donation by the public and beliefs on transfusion.

He spoke when he led officials of the NBTS on a visit to a former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, at his residence in Abeokuta.

Amedu told Obasanjo that the service “Is poorly funded and lacks good office accommodation in all the 17 centres across Nigeria.”

According to him, the service requires N3 billion for renovation works and accommodation, N1.960 million for yearly running cost and N850.448 million for blood screening reagents for six months.

Obasanjo on his part called on the federal government to improve the budgetary allocation for the service in view of the vital role of blood donation to the well-being of the citizens.

He also implored the National Assembly to pass the NBTS Bill to ensure the service “is brought to life.”

The former president who said “Blood is life and life is blood”, urged government to give more attention to blood transfusion service in the country to improve the wellbeing of citizens.