The federal government has called for enhanced collaboration, private sector investment, and financially sound proposals to boost blood services nationwide.

Abdul Mukhtar, the national coordinator of the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Health Value Chain, made the call during a visit to the National Blood Service Agency in Abuja.

Mr Mukhtar described the NBSA as an indispensable pillar in Nigeria’s healthcare delivery architecture, hence the need to prioritise access to an efficient, safe, and accessible blood system.

He said, “There is no functioning health system without a dependable blood service. From maternal care to surgery, oncology to emergency response, the availability and quality of blood products play a life-saving role. The Federal Government is committed to strengthening this vital sector through policy support and public-private collaboration.”

He underscored President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s resolve to create an enabling environment that encourages investment, local innovation, and expansion of blood service infrastructure.

He, therefore, urged the NBSA to develop and submit finance-driven proposals and scalable interventions that can attract sustainable funding and deliver measurable value to Nigeria’s health ecosystem.

“The NBSA is encouraged to bring forward transformative initiatives that are not only financially viable but capable of catalyzing long-term impact, especially those that promote efficiency, sustainability, and technology-driven service delivery,” he said.

Saleh Yuguda, NBSA director-general, reiterated the agency’s vision of a modernised, self-sustaining system anchored on innovation, accessibility, and quality assurance.

“We are working to expand plasma production capabilities, improve nationwide access to safe blood, and deepen public-private partnerships. This will enable local production of vital consumables, moving Nigeria away from costly import dependency,’ he said.

He stressed the need for the federal government and the National Assembly to strengthen the NBSA’s regulatory framework. According to him, providing legislative backing will empower the agency to enforce standards and ensure compliance across the blood value chain.

“We cannot achieve national blood safety and efficiency without the full force of legal authority. Strengthening our regulatory mandate is essential for oversight, quality control, and the ethical administration of blood services nationwide,” he said.

Mr Yuguda highlighted NBSA’s continued engagement in life-saving crowd-funded interventions and public awareness campaigns that promote voluntary blood donation and health equity. 

(NAN)