The Acting Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, has urged Nigerians to engage in voluntary blood donation in order to save lives.
Balarabe made the appeal when she received the Acting North West Zonal Director of National Blood Service Commission, Prof. Aminu Mohammed, on Wednesday in Kaduna.
She said that the availability of blood in hospitals would greatly reduce the maternal mortality rate in the country.
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“The maternal mortality rate that we have is as a result of bleeding, where most people are not able to provide blood to take care of themselves during delivery.
“We want to see more people donating blood; it will make a difference and reduce the causes of maternal mortality of our women,” the acting governor said.
Balarabe assured that the state government would work with the commission to ensure the availability of safe and cost-effective blood products for Nigerians.
She, however, advised the commission to engage in massive public sensitisation, so as to attract more voluntary blood donors across the country.
Earlier, the acting zonal director said the visit was to seek for the support of the Kaduna State Government in carrying out its mandate of ensuring the availability of safe and cost-effective blood products to Nigerians.
“Our visit is to intimate the government on our activities and the mandate and support we expect,” he said.
According to him, the commission has the mandate to regulate blood transfusion practice, coordinate and give capacity and technical support to stakeholders.
Mohammed said that the commission would welcome collaboration with the state government in the area of enlightenment and ensuring safe and quality blood in all health facilities in the state. (NAN)
