The Nigerian government wants every citizen to see voluntary blood donation as a national call to duty, even as it intensifies effort to encourage citizens through numerous initiatives currently being implemented across the country.
The Director General of the National Blood Service Commission, Prof Saleh Yuguda made the call at a novelty football match in Abuja as part of activities to commemorate the 20th anniversary of World blood donor day, as well as to motivate more individuals to join the global movement of blood donation.
Research has shown that lack of access to safe blood especially in low income countries like Nigeria, has negative impacts on many patients particularly those that require regular blood transfusion.
Voluntary blood donation is a task many Nigerians May not want to take, for fear and anxiety.
In an effort to drum support for blood donations, the Nigeria government through it’s national blood service commission says the country is living no stone unturned as it is committed to scaling up initiatives that will encourage Nigerians to see voluntary blood donations as a patriotic call to duty, as it will not only save a life but also benefits the donor in different ways.
The district governor rotary club of Abuja, in a message said the novelty football match was part of advocacy tool to drum support to the governments many initiative for Nigerians and other stakeholders to join hands in closing noticable gaps in the health sector
Some of the participants said the 20th anniversary of World Blood Donor Day is an excellent and timely opportunity to appreciate blood donors across the globe, and a timely moment to address continued challenges as well as accelerating progress made towards a future where safe blood transfusion is universally accessible.
(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
