Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has said that voluntary blood donation would stop its scarcity and commercialisation in the state.
NMA Chairman, Prof. Alikor Chizindu, however, urged individuals to become voluntary blood donors to support the nation’s healthcare sector.
Chizindu made the call yesterday in Port Harcourt in commemoration of this year’s world blood donor day, with the theme: Give Blood And Keep The World Breathing
“Blood will be available if one per cent of the adult population donates blood voluntarily, so, we are encouraging individuals to voluntarily become blood donors,” he said.
He, therefore, urged individuals and all Nigerians to partner with the NMA to improve the availability of blood, as a way of supporting the nation’s healthcare system.
Also, a professor of Dermatology at the Rivers State University, Prof. Kaladada Akurubo, said the free donation of blood would end its commercialisation.
“If we are able to get more voluntary blood donors, then we will be able to stop the racketeering that goes with blood donations and we will stop commercial blood donations. We will also stop people from paying for blood donations and so we encourage people to donate,” she said.
Akurubo noted that there are many benefits of being a voluntary blood donor, adding that it would enable the donors to be mindful of their social practices.
Besides, some residents of Port Harcourt told The Guardian that they were reluctant to donate blood due to hard times in the country, which has resulted in their inability to eat good food.
Festus Amadi said: “I desire to donate blood but if you look at me very well, you can see that I am not fit, I am very hungry. Can a hungry man donate blood? I lost my job last year due to the situation in the country and since then, I have not got another job.”
Another resident, Akpan Friday, attributed his failure to donate blood to lack of time and medical reasons.
MEANWHILE, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has commended voluntary, blood donors for their service and determination to save lives and ensure a sufficient and safe supply of blood to patients suffering from life-threatening medical conditions and other health crisis.
Obaseki gave the commendation in commemoration of this year’s World Blood Donor Day, marked by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on June 14 every year globally.
He canvassed increased collaboration among stakeholders to create sustained awareness on the importance of blood donation, saying the donors’ action was essential to the sustenance of humanity.
