Nigeria Partners German Hospital To Enhance Blood Transfusion Safety

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

Nigeria has strengthened its efforts to improve blood transfusion safety, through a partnership between Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Germany, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), and the National Blood Service Agency (NBSA).

The collaboration, known as the Towards Safe Blood in Nigeria project, seeks to elevate Nigeria’s blood transfusion standards by integrating international best practices in safety, testing, and management.

This initiative builds upon the success of AKTH’s transfusion medicine centre, aiming to replicate its model across hospitals nationwide.

According to NBSA’s Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Haruna, the project, which has been in progress since 2016, has already introduced advanced transfusion medicine standards at AKTH.

Nigerian haematologists have received specialized training in transfusion safety, quality management, and immunohaematological techniques, with expertise provided by German partners.

“The key focus of this initiative is to address critical challenges in Nigeria’s blood transfusion system, including limited blood supply, risks of transmitting infectious diseases, and inadequate compatibility testing, which can lead to adverse reactions,” Haruna stated.

A significant component of the initiative is the establishment of a National Training Centre for Transfusion Medicine at AKTH.

The centre will train blood bank personnel in hygiene protocols, donor screening, and compatibility testing, particularly for patients with conditions like sickle cell disease.

Additionally, the project will introduce a specialized auditor training programme to strengthen the NBSA’s oversight and regulation of blood banks across the country.

The initiative aligns with Nigeria’s National Health Policy and the World Health Organisation’s recommendations, particularly in improving maternal health and reducing pregnancy-related deaths through safer surgical procedures and reliable blood supply.

“With over six million sickle cell disease patients in Nigeria, ensuring a steady and safe blood supply is crucial,” Haruna added.

The project’s impact has already gained international recognition, earning an award from the Nigerian Society of Haematology and Blood Transfusion in 2023 for its contributions to blood safety.

Funding from the German government and EKFS has played a vital role in establishing AKTH’s transfusion medicine centre, which now serves as a model for other hospitals.

The next phase of the project will focus on nationwide training for blood transfusion managers in Kano, ensuring a sustainable transfer of knowledge to healthcare institutions.

To maintain high safety standards, the NBSA will conduct regular audits of blood banks across the country, addressing long-standing challenges in Nigeria’s blood transfusion system.

The ultimate goal is to establish a national network of trained personnel capable of accrediting transfusion centres and ensuring compliance with international safety standards.

Since its establishment in 2005, the NBSA has been mandated to regulate, coordinate, and ensure the availability of safe and quality blood for transfusions in Nigeria.

Its objectives include promoting voluntary blood donations, regulating blood banks, conducting blood screening, and enhancing training programs to build the capacity of transfusion service providers.