Red Cross appeals for blood donation in Anambra

The Nigeria Red Cross Society has appealed to residents of Anambra to donate blood at least two times a year to meet the state’s requirements.

The Vice-Chairman of the Anambra chapter of the society, Prof. Peter Katchy, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Onitsha that the state needed blood to meet emergency situations in its hospitals.

“One of the major activities of the Red Cross in Anambra is blood donors recruitment drive.

“The Red Cross calls on the people of the state to develop the habit of voluntary blood donation as a way of life to enable the state and the country to meet the requirements of safe blood transfusion services.

“Voluntary blood donation reduces maternal mortality and helps patients suffering from blood related diseases such as sickle cell anaemia, victims of gunshot injuries and accident victims, among others,’’ he said.

He said the emphasis was on young donors who would willingly donate blood for people in need to save their lives.

Katchy said that it was regrettable that the country needed about two million units of blood annually, but was currently collecting about 25,000 units yearly.

He dismissed insinuations that a person could die while donating blood, saying that the donor rather becomes healthier and strong.

Some hospitals rejected some of the victims of the recent tanker fire in Onitsha owing to lack of blood to give them.