NAS calls on more Blood Donors to save lives.

 

The National Association of Seadogs (NAS),  has launched a  campaign in favour  of blood donation  from the public to help in  the reduction of infant and maternal mortality.

The members of NAS, also known as Pyrate Confraternity, Oxbow Marino Deck, made this declaration on Tuesday during the 2024 world blood donor day advocacy visit to the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa.

 With the theme “20 Years  of celebrating  giving: thank you blood donors,  NAS insistted that  blood donation and transfusion are noble gesture by humans.

The group also visited the phlebotomy at the ultra-modern blood bank building for the physical examination/vital signs  while some members finally donated blood.

Earlier, the Chief Medical Director Federal Medical Centre, Dr. James Omietimi while addressing the NAS members also declared that blood donation is a noble deed.

He said  that  millions of needy patients around the world benefit from such donations each time the need arise adding that they get treated for various medical conditions, like blood loss, anaemia, cancer etc.

Also speaking, the Head, Hematology & Blood Transfusion unit of  FMC, Mrs. Rita Gede during the pep talk urged Nigerians to support blood transfusion, pointing out that Blood transfusions are essential.

Maintaining that it  helps to reduce infant and maternal mortality, she noted that blood transfusion improves the life expectancy and quality of life of patients suffering from life-threatening hereditary diseases such as haemophilia, thalassaemia and acquired diseases such as cancer and traumatic haemorrhage. 

She however highlighted the eligibility  for one to donate blood mainly for the safety of the donor and the recipient adding that Blood donation is encouraged to save lives. 

 She declared that the process of collecting  blood must not endanger the lives of both the donor and the receiver.

The head of medical laboratory services,  FMC, MLS Saibakumor Ahmed Eneiyeketon also  called on more individuals and partners to donate blood and commended the members of NAS for their years of blood donation.