Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Mariam Ileyemi
Published on 2024-03-01 22:50:37
The National Blood Service Commission (NBSC) has recently formed a partnership with HemoClear BV, a company based in the Netherlands, to address blood transfusion shortages. This collaboration aims to introduce an autologous blood transfusion service which will help alleviate blood shortages that often lead to suffering and preventable deaths.
The existing autologous blood processing equipment faces obstacles in effectively conducting blood transfusions. To overcome these challenges, the NBSC and HemoClear have joined forces to introduce HemoClear’s innovative micro-filtration technology. This technology enables the collection and processing of a patient’s blood during surgery, transforming it into safe, transfusion-ready blood without the need for additional machinery or power sources.
Severe bleeding after childbirth is a significant cause of maternal mortality globally, with about 200,000 women in sub-Saharan Africa losing their lives each year. The technology introduced by HemoClear is expected to play a crucial role in addressing this issue and reducing maternal mortality rates.
The partnership between NBSC and HemoClear is financially supported by the French Fund for Innovation in Development (FID), demonstrating a commitment to improving global health outcomes. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) sealing this collaboration was signed during the inaugural Dutch trade mission to Nigeria, witnessed by notable officials including the Dutch Vice Minister for Public Health and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Nigeria.
By initiating an autologous blood service, the partnership aligns with the vision of President Bola Tinubu to establish a coordinated blood ecosystem in Nigeria. This initiative also supports the National Health Plan and the Presidential Unlocking Healthcare Value-Chain Initiative, aiming to enhance the quality and efficiency of blood supply in the country.
The Director General of NBSC, Saleh Yuguda, emphasized the significance of incorporating autologous transfusions to address critical blood shortages promptly. This approach not only helps in mitigating shortages during emergencies but also allows for the preservation of donated blood for treating conditions like sickle cell anaemia and cancer.
Vincent Franssen, the CEO of HemoClear, expressed optimism about the collaboration, highlighting the streamlined support, premier clinical training, and logistics expertise provided by NBSC. Both organizations underscore the importance of continued blood donations, as autologous transfusions may not be suitable for all cases, emphasizing the ongoing need for donated blood and its components.
In conclusion, the partnership between NBSC and HemoClear signifies a significant step towards improving the effectiveness and efficiency of blood transfusion services in Nigeria. By leveraging innovative technologies and strategic collaborations, the initiative aims to reduce blood shortages, alleviate the burden of preventable deaths, and enhance the quality of healthcare services in the country.
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