To ensure that individuals and communities have access to safe and
quality-assured blood and blood products in both normal and emergency
situations, the need for adequate resources, systems and
infrastructure that will increase voluntary blood donation has been
emphasized, as the World Health Organization, WHO, and the global
communty celebrate 2020 World Blood Donor Day.

The day, designated in 2005 by the World Health Assembly to thank
blood donors, is also aimed at raising awareness about the global need
for safe blood and how everyone can contribute.

Recent visit to private, government and mission-owned health
facilities across the state, reveals that when the need for blood
transfusion arises, some of them seek comprehensive services
elsewhere.

This, according to some medical officers, who spoke to the ABS,
including Dr William Onwuocha, of Ideal Hospital and Maternity,
Ifitedunu, Dr Uchenna Okeke of Enugwu-Ukwu General Hospital, may lead
to hazards, including death, if a patient looses excess blood.

Describing blood transfusion services as integral part of quality
healthcare delivery, the medical officers called for government and
individuals’ efforts at making blood available and accessible to
healthcare facilities, since running blood transfusion services are
capital intensive, even as there is short supply of voluntary blood
donors.

Explaining necessary steps and benefits in successful blood
transfusion services, Medical Laboratory Scientists at the Nnamdi
Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Mr. Isreal Okorie, and
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, Mr. Okechukwu Umeh, said when properly screened and cross-matched, blood transfusion helps revive a dying patient, and reduces the
donor’s risk of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, heart attacks among
other health benefits.

They called for media support in raising awareness on importance of
blood transfusion, as well as formation of blood donation clubs that
will support existing Students’ and Rotary Blood Donation Clubs.

Supporting blood transfusion with biblical passages, the Manager of
St. Ann’s Hospital and Maternity, Abba, Reverend Father Christopher
Eze, said blood donation is a charitable deed, which motivated his
recent calls on Parishioners to enlist as voluntary blood donors to
the Hospital, describing their response so far as massive.

A beneficiary, Mr. Jude Obiora, recalled how it helped save his life
during surgical operation, even as some donors, Mr. Christian Obikee
and Stephen Udunna as well as a potential donor, Miss Chinyere Okoye
shared their knowledge about blood transfusion, urging people to join
in making blood available for emergency situations in hospitals.

Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Vincent Okpala, who equally
acknowledged that deaths do occur due to delay in accessing quality
blood services, said among other measures, the state government has
introduced “smart drone blood delivery system” to help in speedy
conveyance of blood to hard-to-reach areas in the state.

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