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The National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) has called for appropriate legislation on blood donation activities in the country.
Speaking during a parley with journalists in Ibadan on Thursday, Dr Wale Egbewunmi, the South-West Zonal Coordinator of NBTS, decried the lack of legislation on such activities.
Egbewunmi called for strict laws on setting up of blood transfusion centres and their management as well as on blood collection, storage, testing and transfusion.
“Appropriate legislation will go a long way in preventing unauthorised practices as is the case at present,’’ he said.
Egbewunmi also called for autonomy for NBTS, saying this would rid the body of unnecessary bureaucracy.
He, however, said inadequate funding was a major challenge facing NBTS, noting that the body was facing dearth of funds.
Egbewunmi also said there was urgent need for the establishment of hospital transfusion committees in more hospitals.
“There is also need for centralised screening or centrally coordinated screening through NBTS approved centres,’’ he said.
He appealed for more voluntary mass media coverage of NBTS activities, saying dearth of funds was hampering publicity initiatives.
Highlights of the occasion included group discussions and formulation of media action plans for NBTS.
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