Nigeria is reviewing its National Blood Policy in an effort to address persistent shortages and improve access to safe and quality-assured blood across the country.
With a population of more than 200 million people, experts estimate that Nigeria requires about 18 million units of blood annually, while national blood collection currently meets less than a quarter of that estimated demand.
The shortage has remained a major challenge for the country's healthcare system, particularly during emergencies, childbirth and the treatment of patients suffering severe blood loss.
Against this backdrop, the National Blood Service Agency has brought together stakeholders to review and validate a revised National Blood Policy.
The meeting is expected to identify gaps in the country's blood supply system and establish a stronger framework for blood collection, voluntary donation, testing, storage and distribution.
Stakeholders say the revised policy is intended to create a more sustainable and nationally coordinated blood service.
Among the priorities highlighted are voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation, stronger quality systems, improved infrastructure, resilience across the blood supply chain and greater community engagement.
The proposed policy also places emphasis on mobilising and retaining voluntary blood donors to ensure that blood is available when patients need it.
Another major component is the proposed development of a national blood cyber-management system—a digital platform designed to connect blood establishments across the country.
Stakeholders say such a system could improve coordination, monitoring and visibility across Nigeria's blood supply network.
Safety is also a central component of the proposed reforms.
Officials say the system must protect both donors and recipients by ensuring that donors are medically fit to give blood and that donated blood is properly screened and processed before transfusion.
They also emphasise the need for follow-up systems to monitor the safety of donors and recipients.
Stakeholders at the validation meeting stressed, however, that a policy document alone will not solve Nigeria's blood shortage.
They say the revised policy will only save lives if regulators, health institutions, blood establishments and other relevant stakeholders implement its provisions effectively at federal, state and local levels.
Once validated and implemented, the policy is expected to provide a stronger framework for building a reliable national blood supply system capable of responding to routine healthcare needs and emergencies.
For patients who require urgent transfusions, the objective is ultimately simple: safe blood must be available when and where it is needed.
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