Blood donors are the heroes that the world needs everyday. Their selfless efforts to safe lives, especially those of mothers and newborns, must not go unnoticed.
June 14 2014 was yet another day to commemorate world blood donor day. There was a little apprehension about what the weather would hold, but the bright clouds gave us the confidence that the rain would not drench our walk and spirit to celebrate blood donation heroes and heroines. The National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), which is saddled with the responsibility of providing a comprehensive blood transfusion service in Nigeria, mobilised schools, development partners and philanthropic organisation, government officials, youth organisations and individuals for a rally to honour the heroes of heroines who save lives by donating blood.Minister of State for Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Linus Awute, development partners and representatives from the American and British embassies all dared the weather for the walk to celebrate saving lives through blood donation.The Minister giving a speechSome facts and figuresEvery year, 62% of maternal deaths from pregnancy and childbirth related complications occur in Sub-Saharan Africa. Out of the 62%, severe bleeding, which is the leading direct cause of these deaths, accounts for 24.5%. Also, 26% of lives that could be saved are lost due to lack of an emergency supply of blood. See the beautiful fact sheet here.Even the Honourable Minister of Health said in his speech to mark the world blood donor day that Nigeria needs about 1,336,000 units of blood annually to save the lives of the vulnerable – women and children.Apart from the need of blood for accident victims, the Minister clearly stated that the greatest need for blood is for pregnancy related complications and severe childhood anemia. He added that only 0.8% of Nigerians need to donate the required blood unit to save lives.Mr. Awute added that blood transfusion is key in the management of pregnancy-related complications in maternal and newborn care, and that blood transfusion services need to be adequate in our hospitals.Linus AwuteCelebrating the HeroesThe Health Minister presented awards to students of secondary schools who emerged winners at the NBTS essay competition on the importance of voluntary blood donation in saving lives. Read the winning essay here.Muhammed Nasir wrote the winning essay on the need for voluntary blood donationLater in the evening, many voluntary, unremunerated blood donors were awarded for saving the lives of those they may never come in contact with. They were described as everyday heroes and heroines worthy of celebrating.Your dear MamaYe! Nigeria was also recognised for the numerous efforts to up the percentage of blood donation to save the lives of mothers and babies.Honouring the highest blood donor on NBTS record, John Nathan Akpan (middle)We also educated and entertained the audience with our well-received movie on the importance of government’s seriousness to make our hospitals safe for mothers and babies by providing functional blood banks, among other life-saving materials.MamaYe! Nigeria's award received by Country Director, Tunde Segun Have you seen our info-graphics on unmet need for blood in Nigeria? See it here.Finally, read the story of Muhammed Nasiru, a secondary school student with the best write-up in the NBTS essay competition on the importance of donating blood voluntarily to save lives.You too can act now to save a life, so go ahead and act now!