THE NEED TO SAVE A LIFE

The World Health Assembly set aside June 14th of every year to celebrate and thank those who donate blood for altruistic reasons (voluntary unpaid blood donors). The June date was selected as it is the anniversary of the birth of Karl Landsteiner, the Nobel Prize winner who discovered the ABO blood group system in 1907, which has made blood transfusions a key part of modern medicine since 1930.   The aim of designating a special day each year to celebrate the role of these blood donors in health care around the world is to motivate more individuals to become regular voluntary unpaid blood donors; create wider awareness of the vital role of blood transfusion in saving lives and improving the health of millions of people each year; to recognize regular voluntary unpaid donors as public health role models; and to promote a healthy life style among the populace to encourage them to donate blood regularly.   The theme for this year World Blood Donor Day is, "More blood, More life." This theme reinforces the vital role of blood transfusion in saving lives and urgent need for more people all over the world to become lifesavers by volunteering to donate blood regularly.   The need for safe and secured supplies of blood and blood products is universal. Worldwide, at least 90 million units of blood are donated each year to save lives and improve health. However, demand for blood for transfusion continues to increase, and many countries cannot meet the existing needs. In many regions, this means inadequate supplies to replace blood lost in childbirth (a major cause of maternal deaths) and to treat anaemia that threatens the lives of children who have malaria or are undernourished. Everywhere, blood and blood products are needed by a growing number of people: those injured in road traffic accidents, those with congenital blood disorders and for routine emergency surgery and life-saving treatment.   Today, 62 countries have blood transfusion services based entirely on voluntary blood donation, compared to 39 in 2002 and 57 in 2007. Belarus, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Malaysia, Kenya (Africa) and Zambia (Africa) are the latest to join this list. Nigeria is yet to achieve this status. Other African countries that have achieved this before are South Africa, Zimbabwe and others.   The need to achieve 100% voluntary blood donation is very crucial especially in our nation Nigeria as facts show that; More than half a million women die each year during pregnancy, childbirth or in the postpartum period – Nigeria has the highest incidence of 1 in every 13 maternal deaths recorded globally One out of every 3 women who die during pregnancy or childbirth is as a result of severe bleeding. One out of every 5 children dies before their 5th birthday mainly due to unavailability of safe blood when needed. In sub-Saharan Africa, fewer than 3 million units of blood are collected each year for a population of more than 700 million people. In the case of accidents and other disasters, 35% of pre-hospital deaths and over 40% of deaths within 24 hours is due to haemorrhage (profuse blood loss). 9 out of every 10 people who need blood may not get safe blood. The prevalence of HIV, hepatitis viruses and other blood-borne infections in paid and family replacement donors common in our society continues to make the availability of safe blood for patients in need, a far-fetched goal.   The aforementioned facts among others, shows why we need to campaign for Voluntary Non Remunerated Blood Donation (VNRBD) from low risk population of voluntary donors as recommended by the apex world health organization (WHO). Safe Blood Donors (i.e. VNRBD) therefore, are the cornerstone of a safe and adequate supply of blood and blood products, which will avert the trend of these facts.   Overall, the benefits of a regular, voluntary blood donation are: Donor  Provides health education and encourages maintenance of healthy lifestyles Provides regular health checks Increases self-esteem Develops role models and donor motivators Earns recognition from the community Provides social engagement and a sense of belonging.   Blood Service Enables provision of a sustainable, quality and accessible blood supply – matching supply and demand Potentially reduces rates of transfusion-transmitted infections Forges partnerships with community Enhances public confidence regarding blood safety and availability Facilitates effective planning and budget management Contributes to cost efficiencies – donor retention vs new donor recruitment and inventory management Reduces administrative tasks associated with family replacement systems.       Patient Equitable access to safe blood, during emergency situations and disasters. Improves community health and health outcomes. Reduced risk of immunological complications and adverse reactions. Creates a sense of being 'cared for' by others. Less pressure on family/patient to find donors. Motivates a spirit of generosity, providing possibilities for reciprocal volunteering in the future.       Community Ensures availability of blood, during emergencies and disasters. Promotes healthy lifestyles. Creates a sense of community spirit and pride. Encourages volunteerism and community participation. Encourages community partnerships and networks Increased community pride/self esteem. Improved quality of life.   Blood drive initiative (BDI) an organization with the desire to provide safe and sustainable blood supply to meet the rising need for blood and blood products in the country have noted that "the average, educated, healthy and well- to-do'' citizen of this country whose life style is compatible with the criteria for a healthy donor do not donate blood unless compelled by circumstances this shouldn't be the attitude of citizenry to blood donation but should be altruistic.   Towards this BDI , a youth-based organization is in the front gear of canvassing for 100% voluntary non remunerative blood donation in Nigeria and is currently operating from University and community based detachment such as AAU, LAUTECH (Oshogbo and Ogbomosho), UNIILORIN, EBSU ,UI,UNAAB, UNICAL ,UNIILAG , FEDPOLY EDE. Join BDI and other organizations in this humanitarian efforts to ensure that Nigeria achieve 100% voluntary non remunerated regular blood donation by giving those in need of blood another chance at life. Adekoga Adeniji ,N. DIRECTOR OF ZONAL OPERATIONS-2 BLOOD DRIVE INITIATIVE. 08033949820 www.bdinitiative.blogspot.com www.bdi.org.ng www.adekoga.blogspot.com     REFERENCES http://wbdd.org/fileadmin/Fil_Arkiv/PDF-diverse/WBDD-booklet.pdf   http://wbdd.org/fileadmin/2011/WBDD_2011_English.pdf   http://www.fiods.org   www.bdinitiative.blogspot.com   www.who.int/bloodsafety   http://www.who.int/worldblooddonorday/media/Global_Blood_Safety_and_Availability_Key_facts_figures_2010.pdf