A professor from Edo State University, Musa Muhibi Uzairue, has emphasized that Nigeria needs a minimum of 1.8 million units of blood annually to meet its citizens’ transfusion requirements.
During the university’s 7th Inaugural Lecture Series, titled “The Cycle in Blood Safety: Being Efficient, Selfish and Effectively Generous,” Professor Muhibi, a renowned expert in Haematology and the Dean of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, made this revelation.
He expressed concern over the low rate of voluntary blood donation in Nigeria, stating that only 10 percent of the blood supply comes from voluntary donors. The majority of blood donations come from patient families, some of whom are not adequately screened for infections and other health conditions.
Highlighting Nigeria’s position as one of the countries with the lowest voluntary blood donation rates globally, Professor Muhibi revealed that only 10 percent of the blood supply comes from voluntary donors, while 60 percent is contributed by family replacement donors, and 30 percent comes from paid blood donors.
To address the shortage and ensure the availability of safe blood, Professor Muhibi stressed the need for strategies to promote voluntary blood donation in Nigeria. He pointed out the high demand for blood transfusion in the country due to factors such as a high maternal mortality rate and the prevalence of diseases like malaria that require blood transfusions.
Blood transfusion plays a critical role in healthcare, especially during emergencies and medical procedures such as surgeries. However, various factors hinder voluntary blood donation in Nigeria, including fear of needles, lack of trust in the healthcare system, inadequate awareness, and cultural and religious beliefs.
Professor Muhibi called for public awareness campaigns and educational initiatives to emphasize the importance of blood donation and the benefits of voluntary contributions.
The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor, recognized the significance of promoting voluntary blood donation and establishing a sustainable blood transfusion system in Nigeria. He commended the university’s Medical Laboratory Science Department for organizing the lecture and acknowledged their remarkable 100 percent pass rate in professional examinations.