Nigeria and Netherland government have signed an agreement to tackle blood shortages leading to unnecessary suffering and death.
The Health minister, Muhammad Ali Pate, while signing the agreement in Abuja, said the partnership aligned with the National Health Plan to increase blood supply.
He hinted that the agreement would unlock the health sector value chain and encourage private sector participation, according to Peoples Gazette.
“The partnership to initiate an autologous blood service resonates with the vision of President Bola Tinubu to establish a coordinated blood ecosystem. This partnership aligns with the National Health Plan and the Presidential initiative to unlock the health sector value chain and encourage private sector participation.
“Its primary goal, however, is to increase the blood supply, thereby saving the lives of numerous Nigerians,” Mr Pate said.
Meanwhile, Saleh Yuguda, director-general of the National Blood Service Commission said the partnership would reduce blood shortages, especially for treating cancer and sickle cell anaemia.
“We expect that this will help boost synergy for blood value chain optimisation and increase blood supply quality and efficiencies, thereby reducing pains and saving Nigerian lives.
“Incorporating autologous transfusions will significantly mitigate blood shortages in critical situations, enabling us to reserve donated blood for treating conditions like sickle cell anaemia and cancer,” he said.
