The National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS) on Tuesday, advised Nigerians to redouble effort in donating blood and not wait until emergency occurred.
The Donor Recruiter of NBTS, Mr Nnamdi Agu, gave the advice during blood donation organised by Mater Dei communication Centre in Abuja.
Agu also called for intensified awareness on the importance of blood donation to change the mindset of those not conscious of the need to donate blood for the benefit of others.
“There are some myths on blood donation which people feel are facts, but untrue. One of such is that, blood donation reduces immunity, which is not true,” he said.
He described blood donation as healthy and beneficial to the recipient and the donor.
Agu said that the benefits of blood donation include saving one’s life and the donor having a free health check to know his health status.
Other benefits he further said were; good health, reducing risk of cancer, reduced risk of damage to liver and pancreas and may help improve cardiovascular health.
The Country Director of Matter Dei Communication, Mr Nnamdi Okpara, said that the rate of blood donation was low in the country.
He said the low level of awareness of blood donation prompted the organisation to organise the programme, to enlighten the public on the importance of blood donation and saving life.
“There are people in need of blood the in hospitals; some of them are accident victims, cancer patients and sick people.
“Donating blood is a way of showing human feeling to those in need of this blood,” he said.
Okpara said blood donated would be maintained by NBTS for those in need of it to have access to it with ease.
Mrs Modupe Odegbade, a blood donor, said blood donation was an opportunity to give life to someone dying.
Miss Funmilayo Ayoola, another blood donor, expressed her desire to continue to donate blood.
She said her zeal was further boosted by the proximity of blood donating office to her house.