By Emeka Obitube (Umunna TV)
This day June 14 is World Blood Donor Day and was created to raise global awareness on the importance of safe blood and blood products for transfusion especially on times of medical emergency.
The theme of this year’s campaign is “Donate Blood Show Solidarity” is targeted basically to draw attention and call for regular voluntary and unpaid blood donations.
Last week, the Owo church attack in Ondo State also raised the need for more voluntary blood donations and a functional Blood Transfusion Centres; more safe national blood banks to ensure everyone who needs blood transfusion has access to safe blood.
Horrendous beliefs in some communities see blood donations as abominable and this is a big threat to voluntary blood donations and a huge hindrance to its roles in saving lives and enhancing solidarity and mutual community togetherness.
Blood transfusion saves lives and improves health, but patients requiring transfusion many do not have timely access to safe blood as in the case of Owo church attack victims where young people were called upon for emergency donations.
The World Health Organization (WHO) strictly recommends without prejudice to the emergency health situation that activities as it relates to blood donations, testing, processing, storage, distribution and transfusion should be well coordinated for effective safe blood supply networks especially in times of emergency.
This is a huge challenge on the nations health care policy and infrastructure on safe and adequate blood banks across the nation for emergency health situation like as witnessed following the casualty from the Owo church massacre in Ondo State.
Blood donation is a humanitarian act and is entirely safe, help create the awareness of the need for regular, unpaid blood donation today, walk into any nearest Government Health Facility and donate blood to save lives.
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