ABUJA – Dr Baba Ahmed, Head, Clinical Services, National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), on Monday reiterated that its screened blood was safe for use.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”8″]
Ahmed told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that blood collected by the service was screened for four Transfusion Transmittable Infections (TTIs), including like HIV, Hepatitis B and C virus and [pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]syphilis.
He added that government was committed to providing safe blood for all Nigerians.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
According to him, the centre ensure proper screening of all blood units and intended blood donors to [pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]prevent possible transmission of infection as mandated by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“We make sure that the temperature of the blood is maintained from the point when it is collected so that it is viable for use.
“We have blood bank refrigerator, specifically meant to store blood which is maintained within specific temperature,’’ he said.
Ahmed said blood used for transfusion should correspond with the blood type, adding that antibodies (proteins) in the existing blood of the receiver was prone to an attack by the new blood and could make one sick.
Ahmed said the centre does not give out its blood indiscriminately, saying it only gives them out on demand through a referral letter from hospitals.
“We prefer the hospital to come and pick up blood themselves, as they know the need of the patient, some just feel that their sick relative need blood, and they just come and not even knowing that blood needs a right temperature.
“The blood needs to be viable at every given time that is why at the NBTS, we monitor the temperature of the blood.’’
Ahmed said Nigerians usually wait until there was a bomb blast or emergency situations before coming to donate blood, saying this was not suppose to be so.
He said there were some major surgeries that required blood.
Ahmed said that lack of public awareness on voluntary and non-remunerated blood donation arises from cultural myths and misconceptions. (NAN)
NBTS assures on safety of screened blood
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