In a bid to address the decline in blood donation in Nigeria, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has collaborated with the National Blood Service Agency (NBSA). The partnership aims to increase blood donation and provide safe, quality blood and blood products for patients in need.
A team from the NMA, led by the 1st Vice President, Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu, paid a courtesy visit to the NBSA. Dr. Olowojebutu formally introduced the Chairman of the NMA Committee on Blood Transfusion, Dr. A’isha Mustapha, to the Director-General of the NBSA. Other members of the team included the Chairman of the Kaduna State NMA, Dr. Hassan B. Salihu, and the Chairman of the NMA Committee on Cancer Control, Dr. Adamu A. Umar.
Dr. A’isha Mustapha emphasized the importance of blood services within the hospital setting, particularly in patient care. She noted that blood donation has declined from 250,000 to 25,000 annually, highlighting the need for increased awareness and support.
The Director-General of the NBSA, Prof Saleh Yuguda appreciated the NMA’s technical support and welcomed the collaboration. He noted that the Agency faces funding challenges since the withdrawal of the US government’s program but has received increased budgetary allocation from the Federal Government.
The NMA has pledged to work with the NBSA to replicate intervention programs and increase awareness about blood donation. Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu emphasized that publicity is key to boosting blood donation, and the NMA will work on a targeted exercise to break records of blood donation across the country.
By Abdullahi O Haruna
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