The Director-General of the National Blood Service Agency (NBSA), Professor Saleh Yuguda, on Monday said Nigeria is struggling to meet its national blood requirement, with a shortfall of up to 40 percent, posing a major threat to emergency healthcare in the country.
Professor Yuguda, made this known at a media parley to commemorate National Blood Donor Day in Abuja.
According to him, the persistent blood shortage endangers patients in trauma cases, childbirth emergencies, childhood illnesses, and cancer management.
“Many hospitals still depend on emergency family replacement and commercial donors, which are unsafe due to the fragmented nature of Nigeria’s blood services”.
The NBSA boss called on the media to play a central role in transforming public perception and boosting voluntary blood donation, emphasizing that cultural misconceptions, fear, and religious beliefs remain major barriers to voluntary donation, but accurate reporting and compelling stories can inspire change.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, who declared the event opened, stressed that blood shortages pose grave risks to emergency care, maternal health, and chronic disease management.
Prof. Pate, represented by Dr. Gloria Uzoigwe noted that real progress depends on consistent public participation in voluntary donation.
Abuja Times reports that Nigeria needs at least 1.8 million units of blood annually to meet national demand, but currently collects less than 30 percent of its national blood requirement.
The NBSA plans to increase voluntary blood donation by 40 percent nationwide within five years and ensure at least one blood donation centre in every Local Government Area.
The event featured the launch of the Media Blood Donation Challenge 2025 and the unveiling of the NBSA Digital Media Toolkit for Journalists, aimed at strengthening media advocacy for voluntary blood donation nationwide.