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.

The association also charged the governments and security agencies to do more in regard to the protection of lives and properties.

The NMA President, Dr Uche Ojinmah made this call on Sunday in a statement, hours after attackers killed scores of persons and injured many others at the St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, the headquarters of Owo Local Government Area.

“The NMA hereby calls for quick intervention by our Governments and security agencies to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians in every part of this nation,” Ojinmah said in the statement.

“The Nigerian Medical Association commiserates with the Government and good people of Ondo State over the loss of lives and prays for the quick recovery of those injured.

“We appeal to Nigerians in the affected area of Ondo State to kindly go to the hospitals where the injured are being treated to donate blood to save lives.”

He also called on doctors in the state and environs to mobilise themselves to take part in the treatment of those injured following the incident.

While lamenting the rising levels of insecurity in Nigeria, the NMA said the government must go beyond rhetorics and secure the country.

“The recurrent shedding of innocent blood in our dear country has been going on for far too long and it is the position of the Nigerian Medical Association that explanations, condemnations, and reassurances are no longer comforting,” it said.

“The NMA hereby calls for quick intervention by our Governments and security agencies to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians in every part of this nation.”

“NMA also calls for the release in good health of those abducted,” the NMA added as the body condoled with the families of the victims, the people, and the government of Ondo State over the attack.

Lagos State Health Commissioner, Prof Akin Abayomi, who spoke in a programme on Arise News on Wednesday,  warned that obese, diabetic, and hypertensive persons should be “very careful” as their condition pose a likely risk of being infected with the lethal virus.

According to him, “There are new discoveries about the COVID-19 virus. For instance, it is not a straightforward respiratory problem. We have found out that it impacts the blood, the kidneys.

“The common denominator are diabetes, hypertension, and underlying immunological problems. Obesity is also a possible risk factor. We watch such people closely. If you fall into any of these categories, you have to be very careful.”