…As AFBC Celebrates Blood Donors in Port Harcourt
By: Oke Steve
Nigerians have been urged to regularly donate blood to save lives of patients in critical health conditions as well as protect themselves against possible cases of cardiovascular diseases.
Professor Zacheus Jeremiah of the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences and Dr. DS Cookey Gam, Director of Health Services all of the Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt Rivers State made the assertions during the 2025 World Blood Donors Day Celebrations (WBDDC) organised by the Armed Forces Blood Centre (AFBC) in Port Harcourt Rivers State.
Speaking on theme of the Celebrations; ‘Give Blood, Give Hope, Together We Save Lives’, Dr. Cookey-Gam stated that regular blood donations apart from helping to save lives and giving hope to people in critical health conditions, can also help to decrease the risks of cardiovascular crises in the donor.
According to the healthcare specialist, regular donation of blood helps in the proper functioning of the heart and could prevent incidences of sudden heart failure caused by blockage of the arteries.
He explained that blood donors apart from feeling a sense of fulfilment and compassion for humanity also enjoy the opportunity of ascertaining their health status and reduction of some quantities of body calories, adding that donation of blood should be seen as a sacred call to serve humanity.
The medical professional who traced the history of blood donations to 1628 when a British physician discovered the importance of blood to the human body and 1818 when another physician succeeded in transfusing blood from one man to another, explained that the 21 years celebrations of the World Blood Donors Day was instituted by the United Nations to raise global awareness on the importance of blood donations.
He therefore, urged all healthy Nigerians to regularly donate blood to give hope, compassion and solidarity to others in the society.
Prof. Zacheus Jeremiah earlier in his keynote speech, listed blood transfusion as one of the most vital medical procedures required to save lives adding that it bridges the gap between life and death for a number of individuals.
“Blood donation reflects a true testament to human solidarity and a process in which one person genuinely becomes another’s lifeline. It is given life for another’s survival,” Jeremiah stated.
The Medical Laboratory Scientist emphasised that critical illnesses and health situations sometimes may requires blood noting that without blood donations, there will be no blood reserves in hospitals to save patients from life threatening conditions. He therefore charged Nigerians on the need to always donate blood to ensure that there is steady blood in the blood banks of hospitals and centres.
Acting Director, Armed Forces Blood Centre, Port Harcourt, Lt. Col.Yahaya Musa who spoke to newsmen after the event explained that it was an annual programme of the centre to create public awareness and as well celebrate individuals who have regularly donated blood to the centre to save the lives of others.
He stated that blood donors usually undergo screening to verify their state of health before they are cleared to donate blood to the centre adding that counseling the donor on the importance of such donations to the society helps to instil confidence in the individuals.
“Persons who want to donate blood usually undergo medical assessment, we check the person to make sure they are healthy and that they have quality and quantity of blood to be taken. They are people who eat low quality foods but may have the required quantity of blood than those who eat better quality foods,” Musa explained.
He however expressed satisfaction with the level of awareness of the public and the responses of voluntary blood donors in the state compared to other states in the country.
On his part, Zonal Chairman of the Lions Club, Port Harcourt, District, Lion Onari Tommy Asifo told newsmen that the occasion was an opportunity to identify with blood donors and as well appreciate them for their voluntary service to humanity stating that it helps to create more public awareness on the essence of donating blood to save lives.
Asifa restated the commitment of the club as an international humanitarian service organisation to participate on any project that are of service to humanity.
“We have been been participating in the Armed Forces Blood Centre activities for years now, so annually we are able to encourage donors”, he said.
Highlights of the event was the awards and recognitions accorded to individuals who have regularly donated blood ranging from 6-50 times to the Centre. The 2025 World Blood Donors Day was attended by a representative of the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6th Division of the Nigéria Army, Brig/General, Eric Emekah, representatives of the Nigerian Customs Service, paramilitary groups, Medical personnel, individuals and organisations among others.
