By Justina Auta

Prof. Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, says efforts are in place to introduce Electronic Blood Management System for effective and efficient blood service delivery nationwide.

He disclosed this at a press briefing in commemoration of the 2024 World Blood Donor Day with the theme “20 Years of Celebrating Giving: Thank You, Blood Donors!”, organised by the National Blood Service Commission (NBSC).

The minister, who was represented by Chris Isokpunwu, Director, Health Planning, Research and Statistics, said that the idea was to ensure availability of safe blood and blood products in Nigeria.

He said “we are in the process of scaling up activities of the commission to all parts of the country, and introducing an Electronic Blood Management System to ensure effective and efficient blood service delivery.”

He acknowledged the role of blood donors in saving lives, adding that “the donation rate in Nigeria shows that over 80 per cent of blood collected are from family replacement and commercial blood donors.

“Data on the donation rate in Nigeria shows that more than 80 per cent of blood collected are from families.

“Empirical evidence shows that the most reliable and safest source of blood comes from a stable base of regular, voluntary, unpaid blood donors, rather than from commercial sources.

“The World Health Assembly resolution WHA63.12 urges all member states to develop national blood systems based on voluntary unpaid donations and to work toward the goal of self-sufficiency.”

The minister said that the use of blood and blood products had become an integral part of modern medical practice as access to safe blood and blood products was critical to achieving an effective health system.

“With a population of over 200 million, Nigeria’s estimated blood need is about two million units per annum.

“Unfortunately, much less is currently donated, leading to avoidable deaths, morbidities, or ill health, particularly among our womenfolk, newborns, and victims of road traffic accidents and insurgency.

“This situation can improve if only one per cent of our country’s adult population commits itself to voluntary non-remunerated blood donation regularly,” he said.

Also, Prof. Saleh Yuguda, the Director-General, NBSC, said “blood donation plays a critical role in saving lives and strengthening the healthcare system in the country.”

According to Yuguda, transfusion of blood and blood products help patients to live longer and with higher quality of life.

“Additionally, blood transfusion supports complex medical and surgical procedures, thus, making it indispensable in maternal and childcare, as well as during man-made and natural disasters.

“Recent data indicates that more people are dying from lack of access to blood and blood products than communicable diseases in developing countries,” he said.

Dr Walter Mulombo, the Country Representative, World Health Organisation (WHO), said Nigeria is one of the 16 African countries with 80 per cent of blood donation from voluntary blood donation.

Mulombo, who was represented by Dr Hamzat Tayo, however, stressed the need to create awareness on blood donation as the total number of blood collected was still low at 5.2 units per one thousand population.

Mohammed Ibrahim, the Chief Route Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), emphasised the need for more voluntary non-remunerated blood donors.

According to Ibrahim, the goal is to save lives and to see that injury and death are reduced by five per cent.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other highlights of the commemoration include conferment of awards to notable blood donors and engagement and advocacy with the media, community and religious leaders. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Justina Auta

Two NGOs,  Civitas Auxillium Foundation (CAF) and BHAJ Helping Arm Foundation, on Friday, donated essential items to schools in Wassa Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Abuja.

The NGOs specifically distributed sanitary pads and hygiene kits to female  students of Moving Star International School, Holy Trinity Academy, Welbired Academy and ECWA Zion Academy, all in Wassa IDPs Camp.

Mrs Elizabeth Duile, the Chief Operating Officer of CAF, said that the idea was to create awareness on menstrual hygiene management, and to dispel some myths and beliefs surrounding menstruation among underprivileged children in the camp.

She said “we need to create more awareness and empower the children with the right knowledge about how to take care of themselves on days when they have their menstrual flow.

“Shockingly, while we were having the lecture, some of the girls said they use rags, tissue paper and other things that are not appropriate for menstrual protection.

“So, it is important that we create awareness by educating and empowering them with the right knowledge,” she said.

Duile acknowledged the challenges of accessing menstrual pad for people in IDPs camps, urging government and other stakeholders to implement policies that would ensure provision of facilities and materials for their well-being.

“There is need to have toilets in the schools, especially for the girls to be able to have access to clean water and sanitary pads, and for them to freshen up without disrupting their learning.

“This is because we had cases of girls who do not come to school whenever they are on their period, as they rather stay at home because there’s no toilet in school,” she said.

Similarly, Dr Adejoke Ogundana, BHAJ Helping Arm Foundation, said the students were educated on menstrual hygiene management to reduce risk of infections during their menstrual cycle.

“We were able to educate them on proper menstrual management and ways to access hygiene products and breaking stigma.

“We did not limit it to just the girls; the boys were also included so that they can support their sisters and friends, instead of embarrassing or stigmatising them.

“We delivered these messages also in their native languages to really impact knowledge into them and also help them to be responsible in their environments,” she said.

Maryam Ibrahim, a junior student of the school, expressed appreciation to the NGOs for the support.

“I am so happy with this gifts,  I always used rags during my menstrual period because my mother here in the IDP camp cannot afford to buy me sanitary pads,”she said.

Similarly, Reuben Obadiah, another student said that he learnt lot on maintaining good hygiene,  how to support girls when the need arose, and to fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV).”

Speaking on behalf of the schools, Mrs Chidimma Obiegwue, a teacher in Moving Star International School, said that the gesture would reduce student challenges of accessing sanitary pads and absent from school during menstrual period.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Justina Auta

Some students in FCT have expressed appreciation to the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) for distribution of free sanitary pads to reduce procurement cost and increase access during their menstruation.

The students during the menstrual hygiene advocacy for teenage girls, held at Junior Secondary School, Jabi 1 on Thursday in Abuja, said the gesture would alleviate the challenges they usually face during their menstrual period.

Khadijat Mohammed, a JSS 2 student, explained that she often used old worn out wrappers due to the high cost of sanitary pads.

“My elder sister usually buys sanitary pad for me, but due to the increasing cost of sanitary pads, we have been forced to use our old worn out wrappers during menstruation, “she said.

Also, Somadima Emmanuel, JSS 1 student, said the high cost of sanitary pads, forced her to use tissue paper during her menstruation, which exposed her to infection.

According to her, the free sanitary pads have eliminated the cost of procuring one and reduced risk of infections.

Joseph Nwosu, a junior student, said he had been empowered with more knowledge on GBV, menstrual hygiene management and negative vices that might hinder his development.

He, therefore, appealed to the government and other stakeholders to make available sanitary pads for female students to reduce cost of procuring it and increase their concentration in school during their menstrual period.

Mrs Bassey Ita-Ikpang, FCT Chairperson, NAWOJ, said the initiative was to ensure accessibility of sanitary pads to underprivileged girls, educate students on menstrual hygiene management and Gender Based Violence (GBV).

Ita-Ikpang, who noted the high cost of sanitary products, especially for underprivileged girls, stressed the need for the government and other stakeholders to ensure girls are able to afford and access menstrual pads.

According to her, the theme, “If condom is Free, let’s make menstrual pads free too” resonates from the need to promote access to sanitary pad.

“We want to ensure that those who truly need it are captured. Menstrual period is a natural thing that cannot be controlled, while condom is for pleasure.

“Free distribution of pads should be a priority, if condoms are freely available in public facilities then, menstrual pads should also be available for easy access,” she said.

On GBV, the NAWOJ Chairperson emphasised the critical role boys play in ending the menace and other harmful traditional practices affecting women and girls.

“When you are talking about gender, you cannot be successful when you have not brought in the boys.

“The boys should also know the things that are right and that will help them know what they shouldn’t do to the girls,” she said.

Also, Rabiatu Abdullahi, Vice Principal, JSS, Jabi 1, commended the association, adding that the initiative would alleviate the hardship some of the students face in accessing menstrual pads.

Similarly, Naomi Okomudo, President, Abuja Royal Women Empowerment Initiative, while speaking on GBV, encouraged the students to be vigilant, seek help where necessary and always speak out to ensure perpetrators were prosecuted to avoid reoccurrence.

Also, Francisca Ogar, who spoke on menstrual hygiene, advised the students to be deliberate about their hygiene and keep track of their menstrual period to enable them prepare ahead with materials needed during their menstrual cycle.

Other highlights of the events were the distribution of writing materials to some of the students. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Aderogba George

The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), an NGO, have begun a five-day training programme in Abuja for faculty examiners from the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN).

This was announced in a statement signed and issued in Abuja on Wednesday by Mrs Adanna Maduka, Director of Policy, Partnerships, and Grants at WBFA.

She stated that this training is the third batch of its kind in Advanced Obstetrics and Surgical Skills (AOSS), which was inaugurated in February.

According to her, the first and second batches of the training were held in Lagos.

Maduka said that the primary goal of the training is to enhance the capacity of NPMCN faculty examiners in training resident doctors in obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN).

“The five-day training program, held at the NPMCN College in Utako, Abuja, involves over 25 participants who will be trained by a team from The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ Nigeria Liaison Group (RCOG NLG).

“The session began with introductions led by Dr Hauwa Mohammed, Country Director for LSTM Nigeria, and Dr Helen Allott, the course director. They established ground rules and set the tone for an extensive training experience.

“Participants underwent a pre-test breakout session designed to assess their current knowledge, strengths, and areas for improvement, allowing the training to be tailored to their specific needs,” Maduka said.

Maduka quoted Allott as saying that between 2000 and 2020, the global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) decreased by 34 per cent, from 339 to 223 deaths per 100,000 live births.

She noted that despite constituting only 2.4 percent of the global population, Nigeria accounts for 10 per cent of worldwide deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth.

This disproportionately high rate, she said affects approximately 40 million Nigerian women of childbearing age, from 15 to 49 years old.

Maduka further quoted Allott, highlighting that this high figure underscores the project’s aims to improve maternal and child healthcare outcomes throughout Nigeria.

The project seeks to reduce these numbers through targeted interventions and comprehensive healthcare strategies.

According to her, by advancing the AOSS Competency-Based Curriculum for Resident Doctors in OBGYN at NPMCN, the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and WBFA aim to ensure the provision of high-quality care for mothers and newborns in Nigeria.

The AOSS course focuses on advanced techniques and best practices for managing obstetric and neonatal emergencies, thereby directly contributing to enhanced healthcare delivery.

Allott explained that the project is funded by the Global Health Workforce Programme (GHWP), supported by the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), and managed by the Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET).

She noted that the project will benefit both the UK and partner country health sectors.

(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Uche Anunne