Red Cross urges Nigerians to donate blood to save lives

The Red Cross Society of Nigeria, Gombe State chapter, on Friday urged the public to donate blood to save lives during emergency.

Malam Abubakar Yakubu, Secretary of the society, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe.

Yakubu said, “Sometimes, we experience shortage in the blood bank and when such incident occurs, there is need to restock to save lives.

“We are appealing to the public to come forward and donate blood in hospitals across the state so that we can keep this blood for future usage, especially in case of emergency.

“We do not know where and when such thing will happen; any time you know or think you are fit, please come and donate.

“With the availability of blood in the bank, lots of people will benefit from it.

“One day, it may be you or your relatives that will be in need of it.’’

He said that it was good to donate blood than to donate N100, 000 in time of emergency.

According to the Federal Ministry of Health, statistics show that voluntary/non-remunerated blood donation accounts for only 10 per cent of the total blood collection.

The ministry, in 2015, said that the estimated blood needs in Nigeria stood at between 1.4 and 1.7 million units per annum.

Insufficient blood in the banks leads to avoidable deaths and morbidity particularly among women folks, newborn children, victims of road traffic accidents and insurgencies.