Abuja: The National Blood Service Agency (NBSA) has inaugurated the National Blood Management System (NBMS), a digital platform aimed at strengthening the regulation, coordination, and management of blood services across Nigeria. The Director-General of NBSA, Prof. Saleh Yuguda, announced the launch during the commemoration of World Blood Donor Day, themed ‘One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives.’
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the platform is set to enhance regulatory oversight by providing an integrated framework for licensing, blood screening, quality assurance, haemovigilance reporting, and blood logistics management. Prof. Yuguda described the NBMS as a significant milestone in the agency’s digital transformation agenda, intended to improve efficiency, transparency, accountability, and quality assurance in the national blood system. Blood establishments and hospitals can now handle registration, licensing, certification, and other critical blood service operations through the online platform.
Prof. Yuguda emphasized that the system would support data-driven decision-making and regulatory compliance while ensuring the availability of safe blood and blood products nationwide. The agency has partnered with Galaxy Backbone to guarantee reliable connectivity and effective data management. Prof. Yuguda also highlighted the pressing need for safe blood in managing maternal haemorrhage, childhood anaemia, sickle cell disease, trauma cases, cancer treatment, and major surgical procedures.
Nigeria’s annual birth rate includes approximately 150,000 babies with sickle cell disease, and increasing cases of cancer and road traffic injuries have further expanded the demand for blood and blood components. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends annual blood collection equivalent to at least one per cent of a country’s population, requiring Nigeria to collect a minimum of two million units yearly. However, current collection levels fall below this benchmark, largely due to low numbers of regular voluntary blood donors.
Prof. Yuguda called for increased voluntary, non-remunerated blood donations, stating that it remained the safest and most sustainable source of blood supply globally. He dispelled misconceptions about blood donation, asserting that it offers health benefits, including free medical checks for donors. The WHO representative at the event, Dr. Charan Laxmikant, acknowledged Nigeria’s progress, noting that the country has doubled its blood donations over the last two years.
Dr. Bunmi Amao, Director of Prevention Services at APIN Public Health Initiatives, reaffirmed the organisation’s partnership with NBSA in promoting voluntary blood donation across Nigeria. APIN supports a secondary school blood safety programme educating young people on blood donation, healthy lifestyles, and safe blood practices. Shalom Edeh of the Shalom Health Foundation called for stronger community participation in blood donation campaigns, emphasizing the need for individuals, organisations and communities to support these efforts.
One of the event’s highlights was the recognition of Amina Wareh, 52, who has donated blood more than 40 times in the past decade. Wareh, inspired by a radio appeal 10 years ago, encouraged more Nigerians, especially women, to participate in voluntary blood donation. She stated, “If I don’t donate, I feel as if something is missing in me.”
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that World Blood Donor Day is observed annually on June 14 to recognise the contributions of voluntary blood donors worldwide. The day also serves to raise awareness of the importance of safe blood and blood products in strengthening healthcare systems and saving lives.