Blood transfusion safety; current status and challenges in Nigeria

Abstract

The attainment of blood transfusion safety in Nigeria (and probably the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa) remains an uphill task due to a number of factors, ranging from shortage of blood, poor implementation of blood transfusion guidelines, infrastructural deficits to high prevalence of transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs), particularly hepatitis and human immune deficiency viruses. We reviewed available data on blood transfusion practices and safety in Nigeria using the PubMed, PubMed Central, Google Scholar, and African Index Medicus search engines, through a combination of word and phrases relevant to the subject. The World Health Organization has been in the forefront of efforts to establish safe, available, and affordable blood transfusion services in most parts of Africa through encouraging adequate blood donor recruitment, donor blood testing, and collection as well developing strategies for the rational use of blood. Even though modest improvement has been recorded, particularly with regards to donor blood screening for common TTIs, considerable efforts are needed in the form of robust public enlightenment campaigns (on blood donation) and continuous system improvement to drive the current transfusion practices in the country toward safety and self-sustenance.

Blood Safety Status in WHO African Region Countries: Lessons Learnt from Mauritius

“…The increasing of blood donations rate per 1000 population indicates the country made effort for blood donations in order to meet the annual requirements for blood and blood components. This is not the case for some big countries like Nigeria where blood donations per 1000 population and further highlight a very poor blood supply chain in the country [ 16 ]. Indeed, in order to increase blood donations, the NBTS collects blood at fixed points and through a mobile blood collection system throughout the island with the assistance of civil society, the Blood Donors Association of Mauritius (BDAM) registered in 1999, the association of blood donation organizers, and other nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).…”

“…The NBTS has also played a crucial role in advocating for the introduction of blood alternatives where possible; one example is the introduction of Erythropoietin (EPO), rather than blood transfusion, to treat kidney anaemia, thus reducing the use of blood by renal dialysis units from 30% to almost 10%. However, the practice on the use of EPO in Sub-Saharan African patients is relatively rare [ 16 , 28 ].…”

Seroprevalence of transfusion-transmissible infections (HBV, HCV, syphilis and HIV) among prospective blood donors in a tertiary health care facility in Calabar, Nigeria; an eleven years evaluation

“…The national blood policy is essentially made up of sets of action plans which are geared towards the provision of safe, available and affordable blood donor units. It is structured into the following strata: the national blood transfusion service (NBTS), the zonal blood service centers, state and local government areas blood service centers, the armed forces blood service centers, private and other nongovernmental health establishments [4, 5]. Despite these efforts, in Nigeria, there is still lack of political will and open-mindedness to innovative ways to improve supply and safety of blood through voluntary donors [6].…”

<p>Transfusion Safety: Lessons Learned In Ibero-America And Considerations For Their Global Applicability</p>

“…44,45 Lack of government oversight, inadequate resources and fragmented national systems are some of the factors identified as responsible for poor access to safe blood, 46,47 which in turn leads to poor patient outcomes. 48,49 Recognizing regional heterogeneities, 50 identifying gaps within each country, focusing attention at the local levels, and using successful experiences as models [51][52][53][54] have been suggested as the basis for improving transfusion safety in LLMC. Table 6).…”