Joint BOD/BOT meeting of the foremost youth-led donor organization underway

The joint BOD/BOT meeting of the foremost youth-led donor organization in Nigeria is underway in a couple of days. This is an all important meeting to help set the stage for re-strategizing the attainment of 100% Voluntary non-Remunerative Blood donation (VNRBD) program in Nigeria. As it is from current reports, Nigeria is barely achieving around 11% VNRBD, a far cry from the set global standard for safe blood supply. This has left majority (about 89%)of the blood available for the nation's health sector to come from family replacement and paid donor programs, which has been acclaimed unsafe with its attendant high risk of transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs).

One major drawback to the execution and actualization of Blood Drive Initiative's well-thought-out mapping of strategies towards getting the nation on the 100% mark, as have been achieved by some other smaller African nations, is funding. The meeting is among others, meant to discuss ways in achieving it set goals without waiting for the National Blood Transfusion service (NBTS) whose major constraints and excuse for inability to sponsor blood drives has been unavailability of funds.

We are convinced of better days ahead in the drive for safe blood in Nigeria with prospective fallout of the meeting.

Blood Drive Initiative ... a drive for life!

Adeluwoye A. Oluwatosin
Executive Director, Operations
Blood Drive Initiative
Nigeria.

THE SELFLESS DONOR

"Who will comfort those who are alone at the end of their long journey?
Who will hold the hand of those who grieve for a loved one lost?
Who gives a smile to those who have not had companionship in a long while?
... A voluntary blood donor.

Most avoid death and those who will soon meet it.
Most are afraid to reach out and make a friend they know they will lose.
Most cringe at the thought of spending time with a stranger, but not you,
A voluntary blood donor.

In a patient's darkest hours, you shine a beam of light.
When a family in the time of greatest need, you are there to help.
A smile, a hand, a few hours time - such precious gifts given,
A voluntary blood donor".

To the voluntary blood donors all over the world, BDI say thank u for ur commitment.
To BDI team and partner i say thank u. But remember "It is amazing how much you can accomplish when it doesn't matter who gets the credit. " i want us to know the harvest truely is plentious but the labourers are few welcome to a new year of commitment as there are more life to impart. Love u all happy new year


AJANI OLUMIDE FAITH
DIRECTOR, ADVOCACY BDI
comrado174@yahoo.com
2348034388216