Nigeria Launches National Safe Blood Project to Prevent Transfusion-Related Deaths

The Federal Government has inaugurated a nationwide initiative aimed at overhauling blood transfusion services and ensuring that Nigerians have reliable access to safe blood.

The programme, “The Safe Blood Project,” is the country’s first national training initiative focused on transfusion safety. It seeks to address longstanding challenges in blood supply, which have contributed to preventable deaths among mothers, children with severe anaemia, accident victims, and patients requiring urgent surgery.

According to the National Blood Service Agency (NBSA), the project will equip health workers with updated knowledge in transfusion medicine, strengthen laboratory capacities for safe blood screening and storage, and promote voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation as the backbone of the national supply.

Unveiled at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, the initiative will also serve as a hub for research and innovation to guide policy and reduce transfusion-related risks. The project reflects years of collaboration between Nigeria and international partners.

Speaking at the launch, the Ministry of Health’s Director of Hospital Services, Dr. Salaudeen Jimoh, described safe blood as “a lifeline” and emphasized the importance of training health workers and adhering to safety standards.

NBSA Director-General Prof. Saleh Yuguda stressed that infrastructure alone cannot guarantee safe transfusions. “Every transfusion must be safe, effective, and justified. By strengthening blood banks and building capacity, we ensure hospitals truly serve patients in need,” he said.

Prof. Andreas Greinacher, a transfusion medicine specialist from Germany, urged investment in research, noting that safe blood services also strengthen national resilience and the economy.

The project is sponsored by the Else Kröner-Fresenius Stiftung, a German foundation supporting healthcare interventions across Africa, and is expected to be replicated nationwide to ensure equitable access to safe blood.