The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has said that Nigeria needs an estimated 2 million units of blood every year to adequately cater to its 200 million population.

He regretted that much less is currently donated, leading to avoidable deaths and morbidities, particularly among women, newborns, children, and victims of road traffic accidents and insurgencies.

He stressed that the situation could improve if only 1% of the country’s adult population committed to voluntary non-remunerated blood donation on a regular basis.

Speaking at an event to commemorate 2024 World Blood Donor Day yesterday in Abuja, Pate said that the National Blood Service Commission is working tirelessly to ensure a safe and adequate blood supply for those in need.

Pate noted that the use of blood and blood products has become an integral part of modern medical practice. He added that access to safe blood and blood products is a key component of an effective health system and a significant building block for the successful achievement of health-related Sustainable Development Goals.

He observed that statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2023 showed that out of the 118.5 million blood donations collected globally, 40% were from high-income countries, which constitute about 16% of the world’s population.

He added that data on the donation rate in Nigeria shows that more than 80% of the blood collected is from family replacement and commercial blood donors.

The minister stated that empirical evidence shows that the most reliable and safest source of blood comes from a stable base of regular, voluntary, unpaid blood donors rather than from commercial sources.

He said, “The World Health Assembly resolution WHA63.12 has urged all Member States to develop national blood systems based on voluntary unpaid donations and to work towards the goal of self-sufficiency.

“This year’s theme, ‘20 years of celebrating giving: Thank you, blood donors!’ resonates deeply and reminds us of the kindness of our voluntary blood donors. It also gives us the opportunity to celebrate the progress made and the lives saved due to the selflessness of blood donors worldwide. Blood donation is a gesture of kindness, a symbol of solidarity, and a testament to humanity’s capacity for compassion.”

Pate noted that every blood donation is a precious gift, adding that each donation has the potential to save up to three lives, making blood donors true heroes among us.

He adds, “Blood donation is a powerful symbol of community and compassion. It reminds us that we are all connected and that our individual actions can make a difference in the lives of others. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you who has rolled up your sleeves to donate blood. Your kindness, compassion, and commitment to helping others are truly admirable.

“The national blood system should be governed by a national blood policy and legislative framework to promote uniform implementation of standards and consistency in the quality and safety of blood and blood products. In Nigeria, there is a need to appropriately regulate and coordinate all activities related to blood donation. The National Blood Service Commission (NBSC) was established in 2021 through the NBSC Act, 2021, with the mandate to coordinate, regulate, and ensure the provision of quality blood, blood products, and services in line with the National Health Plan.”

The minister said that the Federal Government is in the process of scaling up the activities of the NBSC to all parts of the country and introducing an Electronic Blood Management System to ensure effective and efficient blood service delivery.

In his welcome address, the Director General of the NBSC, Prof. Saleh Yuguda, observed that blood transfusion plays a critical role in healthcare, benefiting patients who face life-threatening conditions. He added that transfusion of blood and blood products helps patients live longer and with a higher quality of life.

He stated that blood transfusion supports complex medical and surgical procedures, making it indispensable in maternal and child care as well as during man-made and natural disasters. Recent data indicates that more people are dying from lack of access to blood and blood products (because of road traffic accidents, obstetric haemorrhage, cancer-related bone marrow suppression, etc.) than from communicable diseases in developing countries.

Yuguda noted that regular blood donations are needed all over the world to ensure individuals and communities have access to safe and quality-assured blood and blood products.

He said, “Access to safe blood and blood products is also essential for universal health coverage and is a key component of effective health systems. A blood service that gives patients access to safe blood and blood products in sufficient quantity is a key component of an effective health system. The global theme of World Blood Donor Day changes each year in recognition of the selfless individuals who donate their blood for people unknown to them.”