The Gombe State Ministry of Health has intensified efforts to mobilise voluntary blood donors as part of measures to address emergency health needs and reduce preventable deaths across the state.
The renewed campaign was formally launched during a “Donate Blood Drive” held at the General Hospital Gombe, with the Deputy Governor, Dr Manassah Jatau, flagging off the exercise.
Speaking at the event on Saturday, Jatau called on eligible residents to donate blood voluntarily, describing the act as a demonstration of love and humanity.
He noted that the large turnout of donors from across the state reflected the people’s commitment to supporting one another.
“We are appealing, not compelling, people to donate blood. It is an act of love for humanity,” he said.
The deputy governor cautioned medical personnel against malpractice, warning that the government would closely monitor the collection and utilisation of donated blood to ensure it is reserved strictly for medical emergencies and not commercialised.
He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to strengthening the healthcare system, stressing that blood remains a vital resource that cannot be artificially produced and must be sourced through voluntary donations.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Habu Dahiru, explained that the campaign was deliberately scheduled on Valentine’s Day to symbolise love and sacrifice for others.
He observed that maternal deaths linked to excessive bleeding during childbirth and fatalities from road accidents often result from a lack of timely access to safe blood.
According to Dahiru, the state has so far collected about 250 pints of blood, with a target of 1,000 pints for distribution to health facilities, including the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe and hospitals across the 11 local government areas.
He added that only individuals aged 19 to 55 years, excluding pregnant women, are eligible to donate. He also disclosed plans to establish a framework to discourage the commercialisation of blood and ensure it is made freely available to patients in need.
Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of the World Health Organisation, the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah, and the Christian Association of Nigeria, who described the initiative as timely and life-saving. They urged residents to view blood donation as both a civic and spiritual responsibility.
Also speaking, the Senior District Head of Gombe, Alhaji Bappah Mohammed, represented by Alhaji Abdulkadir Abubakar, commended the state government for prioritising quality healthcare and appreciated donors, development partners, and financial institutions for supporting the programme.
The event featured an inspection of the donation process, including counselling, screening, collection, and storage, as well as the presentation of certificates and refreshments to voluntary donors.
The campaign forms part of the state government’s broader strategy to ensure the availability of safe blood for emergencies, maternal health, and accident victims, thereby reducing avoidable deaths across Gombe State.
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