Blood: Haematologist recommends 3 to 4 times donation per year

A Professor of Haematology, Titi Adeyemo, says it is very safe for people between 18 and 65 years of age to donate blood three to four times per year.

Adeyemo, also the Head, Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), made the assertion in an interview with our correspondent on Tuesday in Lagos.

She explained that it translated to three months interval between blood donations for an individual (man or woman), who was not sick, aged, pregnant or menstruating.

Highlighting the benefits of blood donation, Adeyemo explained that it reduced the risk of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, stroke, depression and elongated life.

She explained that blood donation kept the bone marrow active, which in turn kept the individual young.

According to her, regular blood donors stand the chance of living five years longer than non-regular blood donors.

The haematologist said: “An individual can safely donate blood within three months intervals, which translates to donating blood up to three or four times per year.

“However, certain category of people may not be eligible to donate blood including pregnant women, aged adults and sick individuals. Women within the recommended age bracket of 18 to 65 years can donate after menstruation.

“Fortunately, regular blood donors stand the chance of living five years longer than people who are not regular donor because they have the opportunity of getting regular medical checkup, which predisposes them to a healthier lifestyle”.

Adeyemo, however, frowned at the practice of blood commercialisation at blood banks and hospitals, where individuals give out their blood in exchange for money.

She described it as an illegal practice, which was against Nigeria’s Law.

She explained that the Law prohibited commercialisation of blood, canvassing the need for blood to be voluntarily donated by individuals at will, with no payment attached.

“It is a crime to commercialise blood in Nigeria, because the National Health Act of 2014 prohibits the sale and purchase of blood, with penalties including fines of up to N100,000 or imprisonment for up to one year,” she said.

Adeyemo decried Nigeria’s heavy reliance on family replacement donor; where relatives are forced to donate blood during emergencies to save lives.

According to her, people need not wait for an emergency before they start donating blood.

Adeyemo, therefore, called for more advocacy about blood donation in Nigeria as most people had not understood the need for regular blood donation.

According to her, there is an urgent need to orientate Nigerians on the importance of blood donation, especially as voluntary givers.

Adeyemo stressed that blood donation saved more lives, if blood could easily be accessed by the health institution and patients when needed.