By Jethro Ibileke
A Professor of Haematology, Prof. Musa Abidemi Muhibi, has said that Nigeria required a minimum of 1.8 million units of blood per year to meet the blood transfusion need of its citizens.
He stated this while delivering the 7th Inaugural Lecture series of the Edo State University, Uzairue, titled: “The Cycle in Blood Safety: Being Efficiently Selfish and Effectively Generous.”
Muhibi, who is the Dean of Faculty of Applied Health Sciences of the University, noted that the rate of blood donation in Nigeria is low, with about 10 per cent of blood donors being voluntary.
According to him the majority of blood donations come from family replacement donors, some of who are not adequately screened for blood-borne infections and other health conditions.
According to him, “Nigeria has one of lowest voluntary blood donation rates globally, with only 10 per cent of blood supply coming from voluntary donors.
“The majority of the blood supply 60 per cent comes from family replacement donors while 30 per cent comes from paid blood donors.
“Therefore, strategies aimed at promoting voluntary blood donation are needed in Nigeria to increase the availability of safe blood and meet the high demand for blood transfusions.”
The Haematology Professor noted that the demand for blood transfusion is high in Nigeria, as the country has one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally and increased prevalence of infectious diseases such as malaria which require blood transfusion.
He described blood transfusion as a crucial aspect of healthcare services, particularly in emergency situations and during medical procedures like surgeries, which he said could save lives by providing blood for transfusion to patients in need of blood.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor, said the lecture became imperative as it highlighted the important of promoting voluntary blood donation and sustainable blood transfusion system in the country.
