Health Facilities: Commission To Monitor Adherence To Blood Regulations

The National Blood Service Commission (NBSC) has revealed that it will embark on a regulatory tour of health facilities to ensure strict compliance with blood services regulations.

The commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Haruna Abdullahi, made the disclosure in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

Abdullahi said efforts have been put in place to ensure watertight regulations for blood establishments and safety in Nigeria, following the commission’s hands-on training and capacity-enhancing modules for its staff.

Omale Amedu, Acting Director General of NBSC had earlier in August 2022, decried that more than 90 per cent of health facilities in Nigeria engaged in unregulated blood activities.

He stressed that less than one per cent of health facilities involved in the blood business was registered with the commission.

"The commission would embark on a regulatory tour of health facilities that provide blood services in Nigeria.

”We have engaged relevant stakeholders in the blood service on the need for blood regulations in the country and why they should join the government’s effort in ensuring a safe blood haven for Nigeria.

"Blood is important and it can be very dangerous if not properly screened and safe for use,” he said.

The NBSC is a commission empowered to regulate, coordinate and ensure the availability of safe blood and blood products for Nigerians in need of it by the Act of the National Assembly in 2021, the NBSC Act 2021.