Organisation Launches LifeBlood Nigeria to Address Blood Shortage

Determined to address the current gap in the quantity of blood being supplied, the amount and quantity the nation needs, High Life Church has launched LifeBlood Nigeria.

LifeBlood’s research shows Nigeria collects only 38 per cent of the required amount of blood each year.

The official launch followed this year’s edition of the World Blood Donor Day celebrated on June 14, 2016, in Lagos by the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Modupe Olaiya.

In her key note address, Olaiya, said that blood transfusion was an essential component of healthcare.

“To achieve safe and adequate supply of blood, donation must be voluntary and must also be regular. In line with World HealthO rganisation (WHO) recommendations, all blood donations must come from voluntary donors and should be screened for infections prior to use,” she said.

Olaiya, who was represented by Dr. Samuel Alor, outlined some of the enduring challenges in blood transfusion in Nigeria to include: sub-optimal recruitment and retention of voluntary; non-remunerated blood donors due to wrong cultural belief and lack of awareness surrounding the issue, as well as the dependence on family replacement and commercial blood donors.

She further affirmed that in an attempt to tackle these issues, the Lagos State government established the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee (LSBTC) in June 2004 to regulate and co-ordinate blood transfusion services in the state under the supervision of the Lagos State Ministry of Health.