Great people of Rivers State, greetings and welcome to another episode of Rivethics on Radio, our character-building weekend show. Please remember that voluntary blood donation is a win-win for all of us. You never know who in your family may need blood transfusion urgently. This episode is in commemoration of the World Blood Donor Day, which comes up on June 14 every year and World Sickle Cell Awareness Day which is commemorated every June 19.
Blood transfusion saves lives and improves health, but many patients requiring transfusion do not have timely access to safe blood. Providing safe and adequate blood should be an integral part of every country’s national health care policy and infrastructure for the following basic reasons:
• Every country needs enough safe blood for everyone in need.
• Every few seconds, someone, somewhere, needs blood.
• Transfusions of blood and blood products save millions of lives every year.
• Health is a human right; everyone in Nigeria should have access to safe blood transfusions, when and where they need them.
• Regular blood donations are needed all over our country to ensure individuals and communities have access to safe and quality-assured blood and blood products.
• Everyone who can donate blood should consider making regular voluntary, unpaid donations, so that all countries have adequate blood supplies.
• Ensuring the safety and well-being of blood donors is critical; it helps build commitment to regular donations.
• Access to safe blood and blood product is essential for universal health coverage and a key component of effective health systems.
In addition to the above, the blood and blood products are essential to care for:
o women with pregnancy and childbirth associated bleeding;
o children with severe anaemia due to malaria and malnutrition;
o patients with blood and bone marrow disorders, inherited disorders of haemoglobin, sickle cell and immune deficiency conditions;
o people with traumatic injuries in emergencies, disasters and accidents; and
o patients undergoing advanced medical and surgical procedures.
WHO recommends that all activities related to blood collection, testing, processing, storage and distribution be coordinated at the national level through effective organization and integrated blood supply networks. The national blood system should be governed by a national blood policy and legislative framework to promote uniform implementation of standards and consistency in the quality and safety of blood and blood products. We should be looking at our options in Rivers State to set up a State-wide system rather than wait indefinitely for a nationwide solution that may not come soon.
Let us pay close attention as our guest speaker, Dr Josiah Apollos, takes us through the topic. He is a Pediatrician Hematologist at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).
Our good people of Rivers People, please remember to always let your manners speak for you.
God bless and keep you and your families and God bless Rivers State.
Her Excellency,
Hon. Justice Mrs. Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike,
The Wife of His Excellency,
Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON. GSSRS. POS (Africa),
You can also listen to and download the Pidgin English version of this Episode below