For several
years blood has been a scarce commodity in Nigeria and the situation does not
seem set to change, meaning that Nigeria is still hit by shortage. So, the
country
has, sadly, failed to meet the World Health Organisation, WHO,
requirements, a lamentable situation about which something should be done
urgently. Available figures say that Nigeria requires 1.5m pints per annum; has
only 5% voluntary donors, 60% commercial donors, 30% family replacement.
Even,
attempts by some states of the federation to boost blood donation by making it
mandatory for spouses of pregnant women to donate blood before they are
registered in public hospitals for ante-natal care, is scaring many pregnant
women away from public hospital delivery. This is an index of Nigeria’s failure
in healthcare ranking. To address this shortfall, WHO says that 1% blood
donation by 1% of the population can meet a nation’s most basic requirements
for blood. This implies that the voluntary, commercial and family replacement
donors are less than 1% of Nigeria’s population.
This is a
major national challenge because poor availability of blood in the hospitals,
when it is needed, is one of the reasons millions die needlessly from loss of
blood during childbirth and accidents. Essentially, donating blood can save a
patient’s life and limit the complications of severe blood loss, which can lead
to a seriously low haemoglobin level and cause damage to body organs.
Despite this
common knowledge, many Nigerians are not in the habit of donating blood because
of superstition and religious beliefs; which combine to fuel a negative
attitude of the public to voluntary blood donation. The common reasons given
for not donating blood are unfounded because on the contrary, blood donation is
beneficial to the donor. By donating blood, the iron stores in the body are
maintained at healthy levels, hence helps in reducing the risk of heart and
liver ailments caused by iron overload in the body. Also, a reduction in the
iron level in the body can reduce cancer risk. In addition, it is a weight
management strategy as regular blood donation reduces the weight of the donor.
So, it is good for people who are obese and at higher risk of cardiovascular
diseases and other health related disorders to donate blood.
Furthermore,
after donating blood, the body works to replenish the blood loss, which
stimulates the production of new blood cells and in turn helps in maintaining
good health. Obviously donating blood is good for the health of donors as well
as those who need blood. So, Nigerians should not be afraid to donate blood. A
donor’s age must be between 18 and 60 years and must weigh more than 45
kilogrammes. Also, the donor’s blood pressure must be normal. Premature
ventricular contraction (PVC) that regulates the heart beat and pumping of
blood must be at an acceptable level; and a minimum gap of 56 days is required
between donations for the blood to reload. In addition, individuals can donate
one unit or 350 ml of blood every 8 weeks. This wait time helps to replenish
the blood levels in the donor’s body. Anyway, before giving blood, it is good
to have healthy diet weeks before the donation, which can be achieved from
local foods and plants so long as the appropriate method of cooking is adopted
for preparation. On the day of donation, the donor must make sure he or she is
well hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.
In case the
donor is undergoing any treatment is on medication, he or she should consult
the doctor; and also inform the blood bank/clinic/hospital where blood is to be
donated.
So,
Nigerians should donate blood now because human blood cannot be manufactured;
humans are the only source! As Nigerians, all should see blood donation as a
personal responsibility to help others. As such, the Federal Ministry of
Health, the National Orientation Agency and health focused NGOs should
sensitise Nigerians on the benefits of blood donation and the need to donate
blood.
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