As the advocacy on the importance of blood donation continues, stakeholders in the health sector has harped on the need for the lawmakers to come up with laws that will give bites to blood policies.
They have also called on the government and the media to intensify its advocacy effort, thereby debunking the myth of blood donations which makes people believe that blood donated are used for ritual purposes.
This call was made at a sensitization meeting organised by the Haima Health Initiative as part of activities to commemorate the 2023 World Blood Donor Day.
The Haima Health Initiative had the theme; Meeting Nigeria’s blood donation target, Challenges and Opportunities.
The National Director Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria, Dr. Annette Akinsete at her presentation at the meeting call for the establishment of blood banks in every Primary Health Care Centers.
She also ask the government to include blood donation in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in other to save more lives.
Dr. Victor Oyoyo a board member of Haima Health Initiative on his part, said blood donors should be treated right when they offer donate blood noting that a negative treatment makes them never return.
He also said the employment of skilled medical professionals will make the work a lot easier.
He however noted some of the reasons why healthcare worker treat voluntary donors badly to include, lack of Job satisfaction, a lot of medical professionals being overwhelmed with work, lack of good work environment, amongst others.
Mr Azeez Opeloyeru who is a voluntary donor at the meeting ask stakeholders to make bleeding room conducive for blood donors and also ensure that donors are treated fantastically well.
The World Blood Donor Day is celebrated yearly on June 14 and this year is with the theme; Donating blood an act of solidarity, join the efforts and save lives.
