Nigeria Faces Blood Supply Crisis as Voluntary Donations Fall Short of 2 Million Unit Demand

 

By AfreecanImage News Desk

LAGOS, Nigeria , Nigeria is facing a widening blood supply crisis as hospitals struggle to meet the growing demand for safe blood amid low voluntary donations, economic hardship, rising processing costs and persistent misconceptions about blood donation.

Health experts and officials say the country requires between 1.8 million and 2 million units of blood annually, but current collections remain significantly below that level. Only about 500,000 units are reportedly obtained from voluntary donors, leaving a substantial gap in the national blood supply.

Voluntary Blood Donation Remains Low

The National Blood Service Agency (NBSA) said voluntary, non-remunerated donations account for only about 10 per cent of total blood collections nationwide. Much of the remaining supply comes through family replacement donations and, in some cases, paid donations.

Experts say dependence on emergency and replacement donations can place additional pressure on families and hospitals, particularly when blood is urgently needed for accident victims, pregnant women, children, surgical patients and people living with conditions such as sickle cell disease.

Dr Aminu Abdullahi, Director of Health at the Nigerian Red Cross Society, said Nigeria's culture of voluntary blood donation remains weak despite the willingness of some Nigerians to donate regularly.

He identified low awareness, inadequate donation infrastructure, limited donation centres, myths and fear as some of the major barriers to voluntary blood donation.

                 

Lagos Records Decline in Blood Collection

The situation is particularly concerning in Lagos State, where blood collection reportedly dropped to about 130,000 units in 2025, following disruptions associated with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) strike.

The Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee said the state, with a population estimated at about 20 million, should collect between 200,000 and 400,000 units annually, but typically records around 150,000 units.

Only about eight per cent of blood collected in Lagos comes from voluntary donors, with replacement and paid donations accounting for the majority.

Dr Bodunrin Osikomaiya, Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee, said the available supply remains inadequate for daily clinical requirements, particularly during emergencies and when patients require rare blood groups.

Economic Hardship Driving Up Blood Processing Costs

The country's economic difficulties are also affecting the cost of maintaining blood banks and processing donated blood.

Professor Titilope Adeyemo, Head of Haematology and Blood Transfusion at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), said the cost of processing a unit of blood in public health facilities has increased from about N3,000 roughly 25 years ago to approximately N35,000 today.

Other stakeholders also cited rising electricity, fuel, logistics, storage and medical consumable costs as major pressures on blood banks.

Dr Ekaete Iniabasi David of the National Hospital explained that charges paid by patients for blood are primarily related to screening and processing, rather than purchasing the blood itself.

        

Myths and Fear Discourage Donors

Health experts also identified misconceptions surrounding blood donation as a major obstacle.

According to NBSA Director-General, Professor Saleh Yuguda, some Nigerians wrongly believe that donating blood can permanently weaken the body, affect fertility, reduce sexual performance or shorten lifespan.

Consultant Haematologist Dr Ekaete Iniabasi David also said some potential donors fear that screening could expose underlying health conditions or that donated blood could be used for harmful purposes.

She called for more effective public education and innovative awareness campaigns, particularly targeting younger Nigerians.

Blood Shortage Puts Vulnerable Patients at Risk

Experts warned that the shortage has serious implications for Nigeria's healthcare system.

Blood is essential for treating obstetric emergencies, road traffic accident victims, cancer patients, surgical patients, people with sickle cell disease and patients suffering severe anaemia.

Professor Yuguda stressed that there is currently no artificial substitute for human blood and said a single donated unit can be separated into components such as red cells, plasma and platelets, potentially helping up to three patients.

He said the NBSA is working to strengthen regulation, quality assurance, blood banking infrastructure and national blood management systems.

NBSA Targets 100% Voluntary Donation

The agency said its long-term objective is to achieve 100 per cent voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation, in line with World Health Organisation recommendations.

Yuguda said voluntary donors are regarded as the safest donor population globally and urged Nigerians who are medically eligible to make regular blood donation part of their civic and humanitarian responsibility.

The agency is also considering autologous blood transfusion, where selected patients donate their own blood ahead of certain elective medical procedures for later use. Officials stressed that the approach would complement, rather than replace, voluntary blood donation.

Call for National Action

Stakeholders are calling for sustained investment in blood collection centres, cold-chain facilities, screening equipment, public awareness campaigns and logistics.

They also want stronger collaboration among government agencies, hospitals, private blood banks, religious organisations, corporate bodies, schools and youth groups to build a stronger culture of voluntary donation.

With Nigeria's blood requirements continuing to rise, health experts say closing the supply gap will require more than emergency appeals. A sustainable national blood system will depend on regular voluntary donors, adequate infrastructure, affordable processing and widespread public education.

The country needs about 1.8–2 million units of blood every year, but voluntary donations remain far below the required level. Health experts say economic hardship, rising processing costs, inadequate infrastructure and misconceptions about blood donation are worsening the situation.

Stakeholders are calling for stronger awareness campaigns and a national culture of regular voluntary blood donation to save lives.