The National President of Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Dr. Joyce Barber, has decried the shortage of blood in the country’s hospitals.
She therefore called on Nigerians to imbibe the habit of donating blood to save the lives of teeming Nigerians dying in hospitals as a result of lack of blood.
Speaking in Kaduna, Thursday, at a rally to sensitise Nigerians on the importance of donating blood to those in need, she said there is shortage of blood in view of its high demand all over the country.
Barber explained, “People for one reason or the other do not want to donate their blood to their fellow human beings who are dying everyday for lack of blood. Blood, whether used or not in the body, has its lifespan and so, it is better for one to donate and save life of his or her fellow human being.
“People should change their mind set on blood donation to their fellow brothers and sisters. Until we are able to know the importance of blood transfusion in this country, we will continue to have shortage of blood in our hospitals nationwide.
“Some people believed that the moment they donate blood, their blessings are taken away from them and all manners of unattainable things one hears that are making some people not to donate their blood to assist others in need.”
She enjoined religious and traditional rulers to educate their followers on the need for Nigerians to be their brother’s keepers by donating blood in the blood transfusion centre to be available for those in need.
She said shortage of blood has become a serious issue that the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria and its entire membership from the Northwest zone are in Kaduna in collaboration with Kaduna State Blood Transfusion Department to sensitise the citizenry on the importance of blood in the hospitals to be use for those in need.
