The Gombe state government has restated commitment to guarantee supply of safe and adequate blood to support lifesaving care during emergencies and routine medical services.

The commissioner for health, Habu Dahiru said this at a stakeholders’ engagement on blood donation campaign, on Wednesday in Gombe.

He said the campaign, scheduled for next week, signalled the first coordinated effort to bring together government agencies, health institutions, civil society organisations, security agencies, faith-based organisations and community leaders to collectively address blood shortage in the state.

According to Mr Dahiru, the new strategy prioritises making blood readily available rather than searching for donors during emergencies.

He said the delays associated with searching for donors often lead to preventable loss of lives.

The commissioner highlighted that women in labour, accident and trauma victims, children suffering from severe anaemia and patients with chronic illnesses required urgent blood transfusions.

MrDahiru said blood donation must remained a humanitarian service that should not be commercialised, emphasising that, “blood is life and must always be available when needed.”

He said that Governor Inuwa Yahaya has approved the campaign to be implemented throughout 2026.

“Blood storage facilities to be strategically located in high-burden hospitals and zonal centres across the state,” he said.

Also, Lawal Bala, permanent secretary in the state ministry of health, described the initiative as timely in view of the increasing cases of road traffic crashes, maternal emergencies and neonatal complications.

He called for collective responsibility and public support for voluntary blood donation to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.

The blood donation campaign focused on community sensitisation, mass media outreach, engagement of religious and traditional leaders to establish a sustainable network of voluntary donors in the state.

(NAN)