As Nigeria join the world to celebrate the 2021 World Blood Donor Day, experts have urged Nigerians to form the habit of donating a pint of blood at least once a year for a healthy living.
Chairman, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Kaduna state branch, Comrade Lawal Babsalam, who made the call in Kaduna during a road walk to mark the Day on Monday, said blood is one of the essential needs that cannot be purchased, but is very key for the survival of critically ill people, women that want to give birth and sometimes in cases of emergency.
He explained that it was for these reasons that the World Health Organization (WHO) set aside June 14 globally for people to campaign and urge community members to donate blood to save life. He added that experts are available to speak to the people on blood components and its uses, so that people can collectively save the world from lack or inadequate blood.
Speaking on who can donate blood, Comrade Babsalam said; “Globally those that are apparently healthy can donate a pint of blood within the space of 90 days, however, six months is enough. But everyone is advised to donate blood once a year because this actually helps the donor as an individual as it is a way one can keep healthy too.
“Even if you do not donate blood it would be wasted, so it is encourage that all donate blood not necessarily today, as today is meant to campaign and sensitized people about it.”
Also speaking on the Blood Donor Day, a Hematologist Medical Laboratory Scientist, Blessing Udeh, said the campaign became necessary since it was discovered that due to lack of awareness people no longer turn out to donate blood.
She noted that blood donations help the donor to know his/her health status. Because the blood collected is screened and information of the donor taken and if by any reason one or two TTIs – Transition Transmissible Infections is detected, the donor will be contacted to ensure he takes the necessary steps to help and better improve his health.
“When the world was better the rate of blood donations was frequent. People willingly come to donate blood. This awareness campaign comes at the right time as it seemed people have forgotten that blood donations still exist,” she said.
According to experts, donating a unit of blood will, save the life of an accident victim; prevent childhood deaths; prolong the life of cancer patients; save a patient undergoing surgery; and also save the life of a pregnant woman.
