The federal government has urged Nigerian youths to engage in regular blood and plasma donation to address the 1.5 million units of blood deficit required to save lives and treat life-threatening diseases.

Folunrusho Adebiyi, permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), made the call during a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja while commemorating the 2023 World Blood Donor Day (WBDD).

Mr Adebiyi, represented by Omale Amedu, acting director general, National Blood Service Commission (NBSC), said the global health report showed that Nigeria needed an average of two million units of blood annually.

He added that with this, Nigeria would keep the health of its over 200 million citizens safe and sound.

“It is sad to note that out of these 200 million units of blood required as a nation, the blood service commission collects only 500,000 units, 25 per cent of the expected annual blood donation.

“This leaves us with a shortfall of 1.5 million units of blood which is 75 per cent of our expected annual blood donation.

“Why so little when about 60 per cent of our population are youths? This segment of our population forms the highest category of most active, qualified potential blood donors worldwide.

“Yet we cannot get enough blood transfusion to keep our population safe and sound,” he stressed.

He, therefore, urged the public to donate blood regularly to reduce avoidable deaths, morbidities or ill health, particularly among pregnant women, children, cancer patients, and victims of road traffic accidents and insurgencies, among others.

“For as long as the demand exceeds the supply, racketeering of blood and blood products will continue to thrive.

“But this situation can improve if only 1 per cent of our country’s adult population commit themselves to voluntary non-remunerated blood donation on a regular basis.”

According to him, hospitals and medical facilities need plasma urgently to treat various conditions ranging from trauma, burns and bleeding disorders to primary immunodeficiencies, cancer and certain rare diseases.

He further disclosed that the NBSC had instituted the Tertiary Education Blood Safety Club (TRBSC) to improve non-remunerated blood donation among youths and create voluntary blood donation ambassadors.

Walter Mulombo, country representative, World Health Organization (WHO), stressed the need to involve all stakeholders, especially traditional and religious leaders, in the advocacies for blood donation.

Also, Salma Ibrahim-Anas, director, hospital services, FMoH, represented by Kingsley Odiabera, director of medical laboratory services, stressed the need for more enlightenment that would erode myths, cultural and religious beliefs surrounding blood donation.

On his part, Nathan John, Nigeria’s highest blood donor, said he was motivated to engage in voluntary free-will blood donation to save lives and improve the recipients’ health.

(NAN)