Encouraging Voluntary Blood Donation In Nigeria

By most accounts, the mores and ethos of advanced countries promote the voluntary donation of blood by the citizens to save the lives of those who are in dire need of blood.

However, observers note that the situation in Nigeria is somewhat different, as many people are averse to and often refrain from voluntary blood donations.

The observers attribute the phenomenon to several factors, which include the lack of proper awareness on the importance and benefits of blood donation.

Other factors include the fear of losing blood and the perceptible belief that blood donations could spell doom for the donors by affecting their health, while others abstain on health grounds

For others, it is the phobia of being pricked by a needle to extract blood that puts them off, while some abhor blood donation because of religious considerations.

For instance, a 35-year-old woman, Mrs Tayo Oni, stresses that she cannot afford to donate blood because she is still bearing children.

“Besides, as a nursing mother, I don’t think I can satisfy the requisite conditions for donating blood,’’ she says.

Similarly, Salisu Mohammed, a 29-year-old civil servant, insists that there is no reason whatsoever for him to donate blood to someone who is not his relation or close friend.

People have various reasons for abstaining from blood donations but a question still remains: what are the prerequisites for voluntary blood donors?

The National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) insists that any healthy person could donate blood.

The service also states that blood donors’ age must be from 18 years to 65 years, weighing above 50 kilogramme and with a normal blood (haemoglobin) level.

It prescribes further that averagely, men can donate every three months while women can donate every four months, subject to passing the required medical tests.

However, judging from the number of volunteers recorded by NBTS, this year, it could be right to say there has been a slight increase in the number of volunteers when compared to last year’s statistics.

The NBTS says it has recorded 41,773 donors from October 2011 to September 2012 with more male donors than female donors.

Comparing this figure with its last projected year which was from October 2010 to September 2011 with 37,211 donors, this shows an improvement.

From these figures, there is a 12. 3 per cent increase in blood donation which, according to Dr Omo Izedonmwen, the Consultant Monitoring and Evaluation officer, is very significant.

Izedonmwen, however, says that owing to the spate of bombings especially in the northern part of the country, the service has experienced a 40 per cent drop in blood collection.

Another reason for poor attitude to blood donation is the restriction placed by the American funding agencies to stop incentives given to free donors.

“When a blood drive is organised, people may turn back when they realise there is no incentive such as wristband, face caps, T-shirts,’’ he observes.

Mrs Helen Goyo, the Head, Donor Care Branch, NBTS, however, believes there is an improvement in blood donation because of the level of awareness created by the media.

“NBTS is happy to say that the increased awareness created through the media has brought about an increase in blood donation, but we plead for more media attention.’’

She notes that some benefits accruing to a free donor include a free medical checkup as mandated by World Health Organisation (WHO), and testing for Transfusion Transmitted Infection such as HIV, Hepatitis and Syphilis.

“When the donor comes, we do a mini-medical checkup, the blood pressure, haemoglobin level and the weight.

“Donors have everything to gain when they donate blood because lives are saved daily and donors live healthy, safer lives.

“If we look at the bigger picture and not attach monetary benefits to blood donation we can live with the satisfaction that you have helped to save a life today,’’ she remarks.

Mr Nathan John, 30, the highest blood donor in the country, having donated blood 32 times in eight years, says that its advantage makes him to be extra careful with his life-style.

“As a donor, I know that blood is one of the easiest substances to transfer disease to another person; so as a donor, I try to live positively and make myself available at every point and every time blood is needed.

“Blood donation is free and you do not have any side effects after donation, you only stand a chance of getting your body treated,’’ he says..

The highest female donor, Miss Sarah Egbaloghemen, who has donated blood 15 times, explains that she became a donor because of the experience she had while growing up.

“Growing up, I lived 45 minutes away from school which was on the expressway and I used to see a lot of accidents and many of these people died because they could not get blood.

“As a result, I was moved to donate blood knowing that these victims needed blood to stay alive. I get a lot of personal satisfaction knowing that my blood helps to save lives.

“I benefit medically from being a blood donor, and according to my doctor, my system has become used to losing and replenishing blood,’’ she says.

Stakeholders in health sector, however, say that although available statistics show there has been a significant increase of voluntary donors, more can be done by creating awareness campaigns on voluntary blood donation.

This is due to the fact that the health benefits are abundant, with no side effects as being perceived, apart from making you a self-disciplined, rejuvenated entity.

Okeoghene Oghenekaro writes for News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Okeoghene Oghenekaro