The Oyo State House of Assembly Committee on Health has engaged the stakeholders in the health sector of the state on how to regulate the assessment of blood donors, blood storage, blood products, blood administration and ethics of dealing in blood for medical use.
In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ridwan Saminu said that the proposed amendment of the Blood Transfusion Safety Law is to establish a committee that will spearhead the affairs that have to do with blood transfusion.
Hon. Saminu noted that the blood bank recruitment and screening centres when established will screen, certify, stock blood and blood products obtained through non- remunerated donors.
According to the lawmaker, “the Blood Transfusion Safety Bill 2022 which is a bill to Regulate the assessment of blood donors, blood storage, blood products, blood administration and ethics of dealing in blood for medical use.
“The bill is seeking for the establishment of a committee which will ensure blood transfusion safety through supervision; registering, issuing directives monitoring, gathering, collating, analyzing and keeping information, records and data and publishing information relating to blood transfusion services and programmes in the state.
Hon. Saminu maintained that the law when amended will establish Blood Transfusion Safety Committee which will ensure the set up of at least seven Blood Recruitment and Screening Centres in each Geo Political Zones of the State with the responsibilities of screening, certifying, stock blood and blood products obtained through non- remunerated donor while operating on Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs).
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusoji Adeyanju expressed confidence that voluntary blood donation in the state would be encouraged, with a view to addressing supply deficit.
Also speaking, Southwest Zonal Director, National Blood Service Commission, Dr. Oladapo Aworanti stressed the need to include creation of designated centres that would be saddled with the responsibility of proper labeling of blood samples in the bill.
In his contribution, Permanent Secretary, Hospital Management Board, Dr. Muftau Ayoola suggested that the secretary of the proposed Blood Transfusion Safety Committee should be ceded to the board, for proper management.
Others who submitted their memoranda were of the view that funds for the smooth running of the centres must be made available by relevant authorities at all times.
Participants were drawn from the ministry of health, Nigeria Medical Association, Hospital Management Board, National Blood Service Commission, Red Cross, Medical and Dental Consultant Association of Nigeria, hematology and Blood Transfusion Scientists Society of Nigeria, as well as Guild of Medical Laboratory Directors among other relevant stakeholders.
