By Uloma Peace Okorie
The National Blood Service Agency (NBSA) has stepped up efforts to strengthen blood transfusion safety in the Federal Capital Territory, reaffirming its commitment to protecting patients and ensuring Nigerians have access to safe and quality blood when needed.
The Director-General of the Agency, Prof. Saleh Yuguda, stated this during a multidisciplinary inspection and sensitisation exercise across health facilities in Abuja, where he emphasis .the critical role of safe blood in saving lives.
Yuguda said blood transfusion remains an essential component of modern healthcare, particularly in emergencies involving childbirth complications, accidents, major surgeries, severe anaemia and other critical medical conditions.
He explained that the NBSA was strengthening regulatory oversight to ensure that every stage of the blood transfusion process, from donor selection and screening to testing, storage and transfusion, meets approved safety standards.
“Blood safety begins with the donor and continues until the blood reaches the recipient,” Yuguda said, stressing that adherence to professional standards is essential to protecting patients.
The FCT exercise focused on key areas including donor screening, laboratory testing, proper storage, documentation, traceability and the handling of blood and blood products.
The Agency also reminded eligible health facilities, laboratories and blood establishments that its free-registration initiative would close in September 2026.
According to the NBSA, registration will strengthen regulatory monitoring, quality assurance and the Agency’s ability to identify and address gaps in blood-safety practices.
Yuguda commended members of the multidisciplinary taskforce, comprising representatives of relevant health, emergency and security agencies, for their cooperation and support in advancing blood-safety standards.
He also appealed to Nigerians to support the national blood supply through voluntary donation at recognised and regulated centres.
The DG assured that the NBSA would continue to work with stakeholders to improve blood services and protect Nigerians from risks associated with unsafe transfusion.
He said the Agency’s renewed drive was part of broader efforts to reduce maternal deaths, improve outcomes for surgical and emergency patients and build a stronger and more reliable healthcare system.
Yuguda reiterated the NBSA’s message to Nigerians: “Safe blood saves lives. Compliance protects lives. Voluntary donation sustains lives.”