‘Only 10% of Nigerians donate blood voluntarily’

Only 10 per cent of Nigerians are said to voluntarily donate blood.

This disclosure was made in Abeokuta by the blood donor coordinator of Association of Medical Laboratory of Scientists of Nigeria, Ogun State branch, Oluwasesin Oluwafemi at this year’s world blood donors’ day.

He noted that many Nigerians for various reasons ranging from cultural to spiritual were not willing to donate their blood.

He said, “There is a misconception about donation of blood in the country. Some people due to their cultural or religious beliefs, will not donate their blood to help save life of anyone.

“And from statistics, we discover that just 10 per cent of Nigerians are voluntary, unpaid blood donors.
That is what we have today as far as Nigeria is concerned.”

Oluwafemi decried a situation where majority of those who donate blood were touts who get paid and at the same time were not healthy.

“We have 60 per cent who are touts as commercial donors. They are not really healthy enough to donate blood. Then we have 30 per cent who are donors for family replacement.

“These are people who have their family being admitted in the hospital for one ailment or the other that are in need of blood.”

While he said this year’s theme of blood donors’ day sought to address safe motherhood, he added that 800 women die daily due to childbirth complications.

He added,”That is why we are raising the awareness on the importance of voluntary blood donations. Blood donation is harmless and everybody should cultivate the habit.”

He said the target of the World Health Organisation was 100 per cent voluntary and non- remunerated donors by the year 2020.