Evidently, blood transfusion has been saving lives and improving health since the first successful transfusion of human blood in the 19th century. However, despite the commendable efforts of voluntary unpaid donors, family/replacement donors and paid donors; many patients requiring transfusion still do not have timely access to safe blood. Unfortunately too, of the 118.5 million blood donations globally, 40% of them are collected in high-income countries (home to only 16% of the world’s population) – with an abysmal donation rates of 1:200 and 1:151 in low-income countries and lower-middle-income countries (of which Nigeria belong) respectively.
This year, as we appreciate the sacrifice of unpaid blood donors around the globe, and Nigerians that have voluntarily donated blood to fellow Nigerians in critical emergency health situations occasioned by natural and unnatural events, we also admonish others to join existing active voluntary blood donors so blood can be more available to save more lives. Additionally, we encourage governments to increase investments in building a sustainable and resilient national blood system for adequate year-round blood donation and timely access to safe blood transfusion.
Happy World Blood Donor Day!
World Health Organization United Nations International Committee of the Red Cross – ICRC Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC)
#worldblooddonorday #blooddonation #voluntary
