NBSA targets communities, traditional, health institutions to expand voluntary blood donation

The Director General of the National Blood Service Agency, NBSA, Prof. Saleh Yuguda, has called for increased commitment to voluntary blood donation across Nigeria, as part of efforts to ensure a safe, sustainable and adequate blood supply nationwide.

Yuguda made the call while announcing the official slogan for the 2026 World Blood Donor Day, WBDD, as unveiled by the World Health Organisation, WHO: “One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives.”

In a statement issued Tuesday morning, the NBSA boss urged individuals, organisations and communities to support voluntary blood donation initiatives across the country.

He noted that the global theme is expected to strengthen efforts to ensure a reliable supply of blood through regular, voluntary, and unpaid donations.

Yuguda explained that the 2026 World Blood Donor Day campaign is designed to drive sustained growth in voluntary blood donation worldwide while raising awareness of the life-saving impact of blood and plasma donation.

He said the theme also recognises the invaluable contributions of blood donors and promotes the values of solidarity, compassion and humanity that support blood donation activities globally.

He encouraged governments, development partners and relevant stakeholders to strengthen national blood banks and invest in systems that guarantee access to safe blood transfusion services, noting that the agency will take blood donation advocacy beyond hospitals and health facilities into communities across the country to deepen public participation.

“The objectives of the 2026 World Blood Donor Day include driving sustained growth in regular, voluntary and unpaid blood donation worldwide, while raising awareness about the life-saving impact of blood and plasma donation.

“Traditional institutions, community leaders, youth groups, faith-based organisations and other local stakeholders will be actively engaged to domesticate the message of voluntary blood donation and foster stronger community ownership of blood services.

“The community-based approach is expected to improve public understanding of blood donation, dispel misconceptions surrounding the practice and build sustainable donor pools capable of meeting national blood needs,” he said.

Yuguda urged governments, healthcare institutions, civil society organisations and citizens around the world to embrace blood donation as a humanitarian act that saves lives.

World Blood Donor Day is observed annually on June 14 to honour voluntary blood donors and advocate stronger blood systems capable of meeting the transfusion needs of patients requiring emergency care, maternal health services, surgical procedures and treatment for various medical conditions.