Blood Drive Initiative

Joint BOD/BOT meeting of the foremost youth-led donor organization underway

2012-02-10T07:50:00.000-08:00

The joint BOD/BOT meeting of the foremost youth-led donor organization in Nigeria is underway in a couple of days. This is an all important meeting to help set the stage for re-strategizing the attainment of 100% Voluntary non-Remunerative Blood donation (VNRBD) program in Nigeria. As it is from current reports, Nigeria is barely achieving around 11% VNRBD, a far cry from the set global standard for safe blood supply. This has left majority (about 89%)of the blood available for the nation's health sector to come from family replacement and paid donor programs, which has been acclaimed unsafe with its attendant high risk of transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs).

One major drawback to the execution and actualization of Blood Drive Initiative's well-thought-out mapping of strategies towards getting the nation on the 100% mark, as have been achieved by some other smaller African nations, is funding. The meeting is among others, meant to discuss ways in achieving it set goals without waiting for the National Blood Transfusion service (NBTS) whose major constraints and excuse for inability to sponsor blood drives has been unavailability of funds.

We are convinced of better days ahead in the drive for safe blood in Nigeria with prospective fallout of the meeting.

Blood Drive Initiative ... a drive for life!

Adeluwoye A. Oluwatosin
Executive Director, Operations
Blood Drive Initiative
Nigeria.

THE SELFLESS DONOR

2012-01-03T02:33:00.000-08:00

"Who will comfort those who are alone at the end of their long journey?
Who will hold the hand of those who grieve for a loved one lost?
Who gives a smile to those who have not had companionship in a long while?
... A voluntary blood donor.

Most avoid death and those who will soon meet it.
Most are afraid to reach out and make a friend they know they will lose.
Most cringe at the thought of spending time with a stranger, but not you,
A voluntary blood donor.

In a patient's darkest hours, you shine a beam of light.
When a family in the time of greatest need, you are there to help.
A smile, a hand, a few hours time - such precious gifts given,
A voluntary blood donor".

To the voluntary blood donors all over the world, BDI say thank u for ur commitment.
To BDI team and partner i say thank u. But remember "It is amazing how much you can accomplish when it doesn't matter who gets the credit. " i want us to know the harvest truely is plentious but the labourers are few welcome to a new year of commitment as there are more life to impart. Love u all happy new year

AJANI OLUMIDE FAITH
DIRECTOR, ADVOCACY BDI
comrado174@yahoo.com
2348034388216

WORLD AIDS DAY 2011 - ADVOCACY FOR ZERO NEW HIV INFECTION VIA AVAILABILITY OF SAFE BLOOD

2011-12-03T04:23:00.000-08:00

A safe and adequate supply of blood for transfusion is an essential component of any health system. For many countries, however, blood is either not available in the required quantities or is not safe enough for transfusion. The demand for blood is always increasing in the world due to the highly sophisticated health systems as well as longer post-transfusion life expectancy. The demand profile in Africa and indeed the developing world is different, but these nations are no less dependent on safe supplies.

Blood safety, however, remains a challenge to many countries in sub-Saharan Africa due to unstable economies, civil strife, natural and manmade disasters, and failure to translate government commitment to practical interventions that would lead to further improvement. Moreover, the African Region does not only have 10% of the world’s disease burden (World Health Report) but also the highest rates of infectious diseases transmissible through blood transfusion, high HIV prevalence (about 60% of the world’s total prevalence and 60% of the total transmissions in 2006). It has a prevalence of more than 8% of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) which is a marker of infective carrier state10 and a prevalence of HCV as high as 2.5% to 10% in some areas.

Blood safety can broadly be defined as adequate and timely provision of safe blood and blood products to all in need of transfusion as part of their treatment. The product must be of the right efficacy and adequate quantity to correct the homeostatic defect in the normal physiology of the blood for the patient; the blood must be free of infections transmissible by blood transfusion.

Blood transfusion is a life-saving intervention that has an essential role in patient management within health care systems. All Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) endorsed World Health Assembly resolutions WHA28.72 (1) in 1975 and WHA58.13 (2) in 2005. These commit them to the provision of adequate supplies of safe blood and blood products that are accessible to all patients who require transfusion either to save their lives or promote their continuing or improving health. It is the responsibility of governments to assure a safe and sufficient supply of blood and blood products for all patients requiring transfusion.
WHO recommends an integrated strategy for the provision of safe blood and blood products and safe, efficacious blood transfusion. Crucial among such strategy is Collection of blood from voluntary non-remunerated blood donors at low risk of infections that can be transmitted through blood and blood products, the phasing out of family/replacement donation and the elimination of paid donation.

Blood Donors and Blood Screening
Screening of donated blood for TTIs represents one element of strategies for blood safety and availability. However, the first line of defense in providing a safe blood supply and minimizing the risk of transfusion-transmitted infection is to collect blood from well-selected, voluntary non-remunerated blood donors from low-risk populations, particularly those who donate regularly. The prevalence of TTIs in voluntary non-remunerated blood donors is generally much lower than among family/replacement and paid donors.

The two crucial issues related to blood transfusion in the developing world, particularly Africa, are blood shortages and unsafe blood, which all too frequently lead to serious health consequences such as death from postpartum hemorrhage or the transmission of life-threatening infections such as HIV and hepatitis. These deaths and serious side effects are preventable through actions to improve blood safety and availability.

Unsafe blood transfusions have contributed to the enormous burden of HIV infections in sub-
Saharan Africa and still continue to add to this burden. The risk of HIV infection through unsafe blood and blood products is exceptionally high (95–100%) compared to other common routes of HIV exposure: for example, 11–32% for mother-to-child transmission and 0.1%–10% for sexual contact. Sub-Saharan Africa has a particularly high level of transfusion-associated HIV compared with other regions due to a higher risk of infected blood being transfused. These results from a combination of factors: high rates of transfusion in some groups of patients (particularly women and children), a higher incidence and prevalence of HIV infection, dependence on unsafe blood donors and inadequate testing of blood for HIV in some countries. Women and children account for a disproportionate number of HIV infections through unsafe blood because they are the main groups of patients receiving blood transfusion.

This is as a result of the following interconnectedness of availability of safe blood to addressing of the various burgeoning health challenges facing the African state.

Severe anemia occurs more frequently in Africa than in most other parts of the world. This results from the high number of patients with pregnancy-related complications, malaria, worm infestations, malnutrition and sickle cell disease. Blood transfusion is frequently central to the management of life-threatening anemia, but blood shortages are experienced throughout Africa. These have a particular impact on women and children. Africa has the highest maternal mortality in the world; most of which are attributable to haemorrhage. Globally, more than half a million women die each year as a result of complications of pregnancy and childbirth2. Of the 20 countries with the highest maternal death rates, 19 are in sub-Saharan Africa where the risk of maternal death is 1 in 16, compared with 1 in 2800 in rich countries. The most common cause of maternal death is severe bleeding, which can kill even a healthy woman within two hours, if unattended; in Africa, severe bleeding during delivery or after childbirth contributes to up to 44% of maternal deaths3. Many of these deaths could be prevented through access to safe blood.

Children are also particularly vulnerable to shortages of blood in Africa because of their high requirement for transfusion arising from severe life-threatening anemia caused by malaria or malnutrition. Falciparum malaria causes more than 1 million deaths each year worldwide4. It also contributes indirectly to many additional deaths, mainly in young children, through synergy with other infections and illnesses. Around 60% of the cases of clinical malaria and over 80% of malarial deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa where 9 out of 10 malarial deaths occur in children under five years of age. Mortality due to severe malarial anaemia is considerable in the Region. Studies report that up to 50% of transfusions given to children are related to malaria induced anemia.

Call to Action
The good news is that the transmission of HIV through unsafe blood transfusion is preventable- and is, in fact, the only approach to HIV prevention that is almost 100% effective. Blood safety is therefore one of the most cost-effective strategies for reducing the burden of HIV infection in Africa.

Serious blood shortages contributes to an increased risk of HIV and hepatitis because an inadequate stock of blood forces a reliance on unsafe family or paid donors and increased pressure to issue blood without testing as mentioned above. It is important that sub-Saharan countries achieve 100 per cent voluntary unpaid blood donation, which is the cornerstone of a safe blood supply, if we are to achieve zero tolerance new HIV infection.

The strategy advocated by WHO to achieve effective, cost-efficient and safe national blood supply systems has three main components, which are:
• Voluntary unpaid blood donation: the first line of defense is the donation of blood only by regular, voluntary unpaid blood donors from low-risk populations, who are the safest possible blood donors, and a careful assessment of their suitability to donate blood.
• Universal testing of donated blood: the second line of defense is the screening of all donated blood in accordance with quality requirements for, at minimum, HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis.
Reducing unnecessary transfusions: the third line of defense is the appropriate use of transfusion only when medically indicated for patient survival and wellbeing, minimizing the loss of blood during surgery, and the use of suitable alternative treatment.

The impact of blood safety measures is demonstrated by the virtual elimination of transfusion transmitted infections in the United States (estimated risk of HIV infection of 1 in 1,800,000 per blood unit). Importantly, improved blood donor selection techniques contributed to a dramatic reduction in the risk of transmission of infection, even before specific laboratory screening tests were available.

The aforementioned facts among others, show the reason we need to campaign for Voluntary Non Remunerated Blood Donation (VNRBD) from low risk population of voluntary donors as recommended by the apex world health organization, WHO.

Blood Drive Initiative (BDI) an organization with the desire to provide safe and sustainable blood supply to meet the rising need for blood and blood products in the country have noticed that “the average, educated, healthy and well- to-do’’ citizen of this country whose life style is compatible with the criteria for a healthy donor do not donate blood unless compelled by circumstances this shouldn’t be the attitude of citizenry to blood donation but should be altruistic.

Towards this BDI , a youth-based organization in the front gear of canvassing for 100% voluntary non remunerative blood donation in Nigeria uses this opportunity of World AIDS Day 2011 to advocate for all and sundry to join the force towards attainment of 100% Voluntary Non Remunerated Blood Donation (VNRBD).

Join BDI and other organizations in this humanitarian efforts to ensure that Nigeria achieve 100% voluntary non remunerated regular blood donation by giving what science has not been able to create nor can money buy.

Final Word
Considering the high effectiveness of HIV prevention through safe blood, there should be zero tolerance of any transmission of HIV and other infections within the health care system, particularly by ensuring availability of safe blood, which starts with attainment of 100% Voluntary Non Remunerated Blood Donation (VNRBD).

Adeluwoye Adekunle Oluwatosin
Executive Director, Operations
Blood Drive Initiative (BDI)
Ibadan, Nigeria.
(T): +234(0)8035434655, +234(0)7040787897
(E): princekunlzy@gmail.com
(B): http://www.bdinitiative.blogspot.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------
BLOOD DRIVE INITIATIVE (BDI), founded in June 2005 in the University College Hospital Ibadan, is a youth-led non-governmental organization with a desire to provide safe and sustainable blood supply to meet the rising need for blood and blood products amidst of daunting challenges facing availability of ‘Safe Blood’ in Nigeria. A fast growing network of youth advocates and volunteer blood donors, BDI’s main shove is to be the change in the Blood Transfusion Service sector of the healthcare system by bridging the chasm that exists between need and opportunity via encouraging the right kind of people to adopt a lifestyle of voluntary blood donation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Life is better lived, when shared in love. Give blood. Share life!

A REPORT ON THE 4TH DRIVE ORGANISED IN AAU DETACHMENT

2011-07-11T00:29:00.001-07:00

Glory be to God for a successful drive. The drive which was held on the 22^nd of June generated a total number of one hundred and seventy-seven (177) units of blood.

The drive was sponsored the N.B.T.S. south- south zone (Benin). A budget proposal of #36000 was sent by the B.D.I. executives to N.B.T.S. and this request was favourably granted.

Prior to the drive, there was a courtesy visit on the 20^th of June by the N.B.T.S. Staffs led by Mr. Tayo Onafowokan to the principal offices in the college of medicine Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma which was the venue of the blood donation exercise. Special packages were given to these officers.

There was also a visit to the patroness Prof. Mrs. Ekundayo by the coordinator, erstwhile coordinator and Mr. Tayo Onafowokan of N.B.T.S. She donated a sum of #3000 for the drive.

The drive was covered by National Television Authority (NTA) Iruekpen crew and was later broadcasted on the local news session.

CHALLENGES

A total number of two hundred and thirty intending donors were present for drive , but due to some of the challenges faced, about fifty donors couldn't donate, although some were deferred because they were not fit. Some of the challenges faced include;

1. 1.Late arrival by the N.B.T.S. team

2. 2.Inadequate bleeding beds

3. 3.Lack of dedication by some members

Osuloye Oluwaseun

Coordinator

Coordintor

A REPORT ON THE 4TH DRIVE ORGANISED IN AAU DETACHMENT

2011-07-11T00:19:00.001-07:00

Glory be to God for a successful drive. The drive which was held on the 22^nd of June generated a total number of one hundred and seventy-seven (177) units of blood.

The drive was sponsored the N.B.T.S. south- south zone (Benin). A budget proposal of #36000 was sent by the B.D.I. executives to N.B.T.S. and this request was favourably granted.

There was also a visit to the patroness Prof. Mrs. Ekundayo by the coordinator, erstwhile coordinator and Mr. Tayo Onafowokan of N.B.T.S. She donated a sum of #3000 for the drive.

The drive was covered by National Television Authority (NTA) Iruekpen crew and was later broadcasted on the local news session.

CHALLENGES

1. 1. Late arrival by the N.B.T.S. team

2. 2. Inadequate bleeding beds

3. 3. Lack of dedication by some members.

Tomorrow is the D-day

2011-06-16T07:03:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the d-day. Hope to see you all at Ibadan (BDI's national
headquarter), venue of the Intellectual discourse to commemorate WBDD
2011 as well as Presentation/Launching of the our foremost advocacy
book - "Crimson Dynamics - Sustainable Blood Supply in Nigeria - The
Inside Out" written by Paul Adepoju for Blood Drive Initiative. The
topic of discourse is 'Availability of Safe Blood: Perspectives of
Teaching Hospital and NBTS'. Speakers are: Dr. (Mrs) Ifeoma Ogbue,
National Coordinator, NBTS and Mr. Idris Saliu, Safe Blood For Africa
Foundation, Abuja.
--
Adeluwoye Adekunle Oluwatosin
Executive Director, Operations
Blood Drive Initiative (BDI)
Ibadan, Nigeria.
(T): +234(0)8035434655, +234(0)7040787897
(E): princekunlzy@gmail.com
(B): http://www.bdinitiative.blogspot.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------
BLOOD DRIVE INITIATIVE (BDI), founded in June 2005 in the University
College Hospital Ibadan, is a youth-led non-governmental organization
with a desire to provide safe and sustainable blood supply to meet the
rising need for blood and blood products amidst of daunting challenges
facing availability of 'Safe Blood' in Nigeria. A fast growing network
of youth advocates and volunteer blood donors, BDI's main shove is to
be the change in the Blood Transfusion Service sector of the
healthcare system by bridging the chasm that exists between need and
opportunity via encouraging the right kind of people to adopt a
lifestyle of voluntary blood donation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Life is better lived, when shared in love. Give blood. Share life!

Open letter to MTN

2011-06-15T16:52:00.001-07:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: BLOOD DRIVE INITIATIVE <bdinitiative@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 00:31:42 +0100
Subject: Open letter to MTN
To: ladyjennies@yahoo.com, adepojupaul@gmail.com, adekoga@yahoo.com,
princekunlzy@gmail.com, comrado174@yahoo.com,
ifeoluwa.adeyemi@yahoo.com, healthnews@channelstv.com,
goodpeopleguardian@gmail.com, unique_inhim@yahoo.com

To:
The Management Board and staff of MTN Nigeria and MTN Foundation
Dear All,
THANK YOU
I write on behalf of all the countless number of Nigerians whose lives
have been saved by safe blood transfusion and on behalf of 'faceless'
but highly esteemed voluntary blood donors whose priceless gift of
blood has redeemed many lives, to say 'Thank you' to MTN for being the
very first corporate body to acknoledge the existence of and to
commemorate/celebrate the World Blood Donorsl Day. This act lends
great credence to the fact that MTN is a socially responsive
organization.

Though MTN has no direct business relations with blood and blood
donation, they have done this in cognizance of the untold number lives
that have been saved, are being saved and will be saved by safe blood.

We thank them for this kind gesture and urge other corporate bodies
and institutions to awaken to their responsibility.

Availability of safe blood ties directly with the attainment of MDGs
4, 5, and 6. We can achieve these goals only if we team up. As it is
said Together Everybody Achieves More.

Yours,
Lala Oluwatobi K
Executive Director, Admin
Blood Drive Initiative

BDI is a registered incorporated trust under Corporate Affairs
Commission, Nigeria. It is a member of the Global Health Council and
an Associate Member of the International Federation of Blood Donor
Organizations

--
Life makes sense when there is someone to share it with.

You all are cherished!

2011-06-14T14:09:00.001-07:00

Special thanks too to all Blood Drive Initiative members committed to
the cause of ensuring the availability of safe blood in our dear
nation Nigeria. Sincerely, every of the success is due you, as it is a
collective one, while the glory is due to God only. You all are
Cherished!
--
Adeluwoye Adekunle Oluwatosin
Executive Director, Operations
Blood Drive Initiative (BDI)
Ibadan, Nigeria.
(T): +234(0)8035434655, +234(0)7040787897
(E): princekunlzy@gmail.com
(B): http://www.bdinitiative.blogspot.com

You are all CELEBRITIES!

2011-06-14T14:06:00.001-07:00

I must say a BIG thank you to all life savers - all Voluntary
Non-Remunerative Blood Donors (VNRBD) who have given and will still
give the priceless gift of safe blood to people they never knew or
would likely meet. You are all CELEBRITIES. Love you all!
--
Adeluwoye Adekunle Oluwatosin
Executive Director, Operations
Blood Drive Initiative (BDI)
Ibadan, Nigeria.
(T): +234(0)8035434655, +234(0)7040787897
(E): princekunlzy@gmail.com
(B): http://www.bdinitiative.blogspot.com

BDI on Channels TV

2011-06-14T01:35:00.000-07:00

I must start by commending the work of the duo of BDI's Zonal Operations 2 director, Mr Adeniji Adekoga and ED_Ops Mr Adekunle Adeluwoye, whose initiative, proactiveness and tenaciousness paved the way for the interview. My first call was at Channels office at ikorodu road in Maryland, Lagos where i was received, firstly, by BDI's care director Miss Ifeoluwa Adeyemi and then by the staff of Channels TV. We went on from their to Channels' TV permanent site at Isheri, Lagos where the interview was conducted and recorded. The interview is scheduled to be aired today by 8:30pm on the Channels network. Please stay tuned!

THE NEED TO SAVE A LIFE

2011-06-13T06:29:00.001-07:00

The World Health Assembly set aside June 14^th of every year to celebrate and thank those who donate blood for altruistic reasons (voluntary unpaid blood donors). The June date was selected as it is the anniversary of the birth of Karl Landsteiner, the Nobel Prize winner who discovered the ABO blood group system in 1907, which has made blood transfusions a key part of modern medicine since 1930.

The aim of designating a special day each year to celebrate the role of these blood donors in health care around the world is to motivate more individuals to become regular voluntary unpaid blood donors; create wider awareness of the vital role of blood transfusion in saving lives and improving the health of millions of people each year; to recognize regular voluntary unpaid donors as public health role models; and to promote a healthy life style among the populace to encourage them to donate blood regularly.

The theme for this year World Blood Donor Day is, "More blood, More life." This theme reinforces the vital role of blood transfusion in saving lives and urgent need for more people all over the world to become lifesavers by volunteering to donate blood regularly.

The need for safe and secured supplies of blood and blood products is universal. Worldwide, at least 90 million units of blood are donated each year to save lives and improve health. However, demand for blood for transfusion continues to increase, and many countries cannot meet the existing needs. In many regions, this means inadequate supplies to replace blood lost in childbirth (a major cause of maternal deaths) and to treat anaemia that threatens the lives of children who have malaria or are undernourished. Everywhere, blood and blood products are needed by a growing number of people: those injured in road traffic accidents, those with congenital blood disorders and for routine emergency surgery and life-saving treatment.

Today, 62 countries have blood transfusion services based entirely on voluntary blood donation, compared to 39 in 2002 and 57 in 2007. Belarus, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Malaysia, Kenya (Africa) and Zambia (Africa) are the latest to join this list. Nigeria is yet to achieve this status. Other African countries that have achieved this before are South Africa, Zimbabwe and others.

The need to achieve 100% voluntary blood donation is very crucial especially in our nation Nigeria as facts show that;

More than half a million women die each year during pregnancy, childbirth or in the postpartum period – Nigeria has the highest incidence of 1 in every 13 maternal deaths recorded globally
One out of every 3 women who die during pregnancy or childbirth is as a result of severe bleeding.
One out of every 5 children dies before their 5^th birthday mainly due to unavailability of safe blood when needed.
In sub-Saharan Africa, fewer than 3 million units of blood are collected each year for a population of more than 700 million people.
In the case of accidents and other disasters, 35% of pre-hospital deaths and over 40% of deaths within 24 hours is due to haemorrhage (profuse blood loss). 9 out of every 10 people who need blood may not get safe blood.
The prevalence of HIV, hepatitis viruses and other blood-borne infections in paid and family replacement donors common in our society continues to make the availability of safe blood for patients in need, a far-fetched goal.

The aforementioned facts among others, shows why we need to campaign for Voluntary Non Remunerated Blood Donation (VNRBD) from low risk population of voluntary donors as recommended by the apex world health organization (WHO). Safe Blood Donors (i.e. VNRBD) therefore, are the cornerstone of a safe and adequate supply of blood and blood products, which will avert the trend of these facts.

Overall, the benefits of a regular, voluntary blood donation are:

Donor

Provides health education and encourages maintenance of healthy lifestyles
Provides regular health checks
Increases self-esteem
Develops role models and donor motivators
Earns recognition from the community
Provides social engagement and a sense of belonging.

Blood Service

Enables provision of a sustainable, quality and accessible blood supply –

matching supply and demand

Potentially reduces rates of transfusion-transmitted infections
Forges partnerships with community
Enhances public confidence regarding blood safety and availability
Facilitates effective planning and budget management
Contributes to cost efficiencies – donor retention vs new donor recruitment and

inventory management

Reduces administrative tasks associated with family replacement systems.

Patient

Equitable access to safe blood, during emergency situations and disasters.
Improves community health and health outcomes.
Reduced risk of immunological complications and adverse reactions.
Creates a sense of being 'cared for' by others.
Less pressure on family/patient to find donors.
Motivates a spirit of generosity, providing possibilities for reciprocal volunteering

in the future.

Community

Ensures availability of blood, during emergencies and disasters.
Promotes healthy lifestyles.
Creates a sense of community spirit and pride.
Encourages volunteerism and community participation.
Encourages community partnerships and networks
Increased community pride/self esteem.
Improved quality of life.

Blood drive initiative (BDI) an organization with the desire to provide safe and sustainable blood supply to meet the rising need for blood and blood products in the country have noted that "the average, educated, healthy and well- to-do'' citizen of this country whose life style is compatible with the criteria for a healthy donor do not donate blood unless compelled by circumstances this shouldn't be the attitude of citizenry to blood donation but should be altruistic.

Towards this BDI , a youth-based organization is in the front gear of canvassing for 100% voluntary non remunerative blood donation in Nigeria and is currently operating from University and community based detachment such as AAU, LAUTECH (Oshogbo and Ogbomosho), UNIILORIN, EBSU ,UI,UNAAB, UNICAL ,UNIILAG , FEDPOLY EDE.

Join BDI and other organizations in this humanitarian efforts to ensure that Nigeria achieve 100% voluntary non remunerated regular blood donation by giving those in need of blood another chance at life.

Adekoga Adeniji ,N.
DIRECTOR OF ZONAL OPERATIONS-2
BLOOD DRIVE INITIATIVE.

08033949820

www.bdinitiative.blogspot.com

www.bdi.org.ng

www.adekoga.blogspot.com

REFERENCES

http://wbdd.org/fileadmin/Fil_Arkiv/PDF-diverse/WBDD-booklet.pdf

http://wbdd.org/fileadmin/2011/WBDD_2011_English.pdf

http://www.fiods.org

www.bdinitiative.blogspot.com

www.who.int/bloodsafety

http://www.who.int/worldblooddonorday/media/Global_Blood_Safety_and_Availability_Key_facts_figures_2010.pdf

BDI to facilitate a grand style national celebration of World Blood Donor Day 2011

2011-05-19T17:28:00.000-07:00

Volunteers are needed as BDI plans big for World Blood donor day 2011. Please indicate if you are interested in participating. Events are to be held at Abuja (Nigeria's capital city) and Ibadan (BDI National headquarter). Volunteering/participation could be in kind or cash. Also, you can be part of events at our different detachments nationwide. the theme for this year's celebration is "More blood, more lives" be part of this in whatever way you can.

Blood Drive Initiative participates in International AIDS Candlelight Memorial: "Touching Lives"

2011-05-19T17:00:00.000-07:00

Blood Drive Initiatve (BDI) was on Sunday 15th of May represented at the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial: "Touching Lives" event held in Abuja, Nigeria's capital city. Mr. Adeluwoye A. Oluwatosin, BDI's Executive Director, Operations was honoured as the Special Guest of Honour together with Mr. Ajani faith Olumide the Director for Advocacy, BDI whose pragmatioc efforts saw to the cementing of a cordial relationship with the West African Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GYCA) and its representative. This according to him is to further extend the frontiers of advocacy for safe blood. In his words, the Executive Director, Operations, 'Tosin Adeluwoye quipped such collaboration with GYCA and other youth-led groups is essential towards ensuring safe sustainable blood supply to meet the need of ailing Nigerian patients. More so, it is important that at such a time as this while identifying with those who have lost their lives or infected with HIV/AIDS, it is important we all commit to a availability of safe blood as a prevention strategy to ensuring an HIV/AIDS free society. Present at this august event was also Mr. Paul Adepoju, a Journalist/Freelance writter who is also

the author of the book "Crimson Dynamics: Susutainable Blood Supply in Nigeria - The Inside Out" for Blood Drive Initiative

Check out this little earth-changing idea from GlobalGiving

2011-04-02T11:43:00.001-07:00

From Adeluwoye Adekunle Oluwatosin (princekunlzy@gmail.com)

Hi,

Nigeria has every 1 in 9 death of pregnant women globally most of which results from haemorrhage during child birth. Aside many road accident victims and surgery patients, numerous children die annually from preventive causes such as anaemia secondary to malaria and other infectious diseases because of unavailability of safe blood. Hence, Blood Drive Initiative engages youth volunteers, being the most active change-oriented blood donor group, to make safe blood available to meet the teeming need.

I have a strong belief in this project to help change he spate of unavailability of safe blood in Nigeria; the most populous black nation on the globe.

kindly donate to this cause by visiting http://www.goto.gg/7844 or http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/give-2500-nigerians-a-chance-at-life-via-safe-blood/
It is a drive for life. No amount is too small to give someone a chance at life.

You can also help spread this message to people who will be willing to part with their generous donations to support this humanitarian cause.

Adeluwoye Adekunle 'Tosin
For: Blood Drive Initiative (BDI), Nigeria.

Adeluwoye Adekunle Oluwatosin

Medical Camps for victims in Tamil Nadu

India, Health

Medical teams will set up camps in rural areas to care for those in coastal areas affected by the tsunami.

Community-based flood protection in El Salvador

El Salvador, Economic Development

Empowering communities through participation in maintenance by raising awareness about the importance of the flood control structures and helping develop specific, appropriate maintenance practices.

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Let's give life!

2011-03-21T15:25:00.001-07:00

Hello fellow change makers (voluntary blood donors). I have been busy
with some organization's assignment and stuffs for some time now,
hence not being able to visit the Facebook group or blog regularly.
What'z up guys, how are we doing with our drive for life?. Let's give
hope. Let's give life. Let's give blood. It is the difference between
life and death for someone.

Adeluwoye Adekunle 'Tosin
Executive Director, Operations
Blood Drive initiative.
2348035434655,
princekunlzy@gmail.com

REPORT ON ACTIVITIES IN YEAR 2010 BY BDI LAUTECH OSOGBO DETACHMENT

2011-01-28T01:27:00.001-08:00

The detachment is very grateful to God for the success and favour he
granted us in 2010 to be able to achieve more than we could ever
thing. He granted us His journey mercies and good health.
The following are the activities of the detachment in 2010:
1. Drive in Ogbomoso in February: this was the first assignment of
the year and about twenty two members from osogbo went for the drive.
The pints of blood donated were 399.
2. CATHY at Fakunle Comprehensive High School: 3 members of the
campaign arm were present at the school to talk to the students about
blood donation and also to answer their questions. The attendance was
around 400.
3. Drive in Ilorin: a team of 5 people travelled to Ilorin to attend
their drive in May 2010. We participated in their campaign prior to
the drive and also delivered lecture on the modules of blood donation.
4. OSBC: the coordinator and the special duty officer were on a
yourba program at OSBC tagged Atokun Ilera for thirty minutes.
5. Seminar @ Ede: the coordinator of BDI osogbo delivered a lecture
on significant of blood donation at the seminar. The seven members of
osogbo detachment were present at the seminar.
6. World Blood Donors' Day June 14 2010: The BDI Osogbo detachment
went on advocacy to OSBC to tell the people of Osun state about
voluntary non enumerated blood donation. We were aired on both radio
and television for 45 mins.
7. Drive in Ogbomoso in June 2010: the drive was organized by Osogbo
detachment in Ogbomoso in partnership with NBTS Ibadan centre and we
had 199 pints of blood in a day drive two sites.
8. Safe Blood for Africa Seminar: the coordinator was in Ibadan to
represent the detachment at the seminar.
9. Ede detachment send forth: in July, Ede detachment had her send
forth program and installation of new executive. The BDI osogbo team
was present at the ceremony.
10. LSBTC WBDD in July: the coordinator and advocacy manager Osogbo
detachment were present at the celebration in Lagos.
11. CATHY @Laro High School: the campaign team was at the school in
October 2010 and we were given the opportunity to speak to the entire
school and we distributed secondary school friendly fact sheet which
was reviewed and produced by the members of the campaign team.
12. Africa Youth Day: Director of advocacy and members of the osogbo
detachment were aired on OSBC to commemorate the day and the
contribution of BDI toward the celebration.
13. National Pathology Week 2010 Exhibition: BDI Osogbo detachment
had a stand at the NPW 2010 organized by NPW Nigeria team with the
Royal College of Pathology U.k in November.
14. World Aids Day: we went on air at OSBC to tell the world about
the importance of safe blood transfusion in the prevention of the
spread of HIV for about 50 minutes.

Omole Olaitan
Coordinator,
BDI, LAUTECH Osogbo Detachment.
08060491318.

IGNORANCE: a roadblock to the attainment of 100%VNRD status in Nigeria

2011-01-25T06:12:00.001-08:00

It has been popularly said that the problem of Africa is Ignorance and
apathy. As a proud African, there is a tendency to feel slighted by
such statements but a critical review of several sectors in our
society will reveal that such a statement is an axiom. Ignorance, not
illiteracy, is our problem. Probably because Africa evolved from an
Oralous society where communication is effected through drums and
knowledge is passed through songs, tales and folklores, there is that
tendency in the African not to quest for knowledge but to wait for it
to come to you.

Concerned at the spate of non-involvement of the youth in Voluntary
blood donation in Nigeria, BLOOD DRIVE INITIATIVE embarked on a study
among students of higher institutions of learning in the south-western
region of Nigeria. 74% or our respondents said they do not donate
blood because they are not aware there is a need, or they've not been
asked. 11% complained about the attitude of the personnel and time
required for the exercise. 6% complained about proximity to a donation
centre, 9% wanted remuneration for such an effort. 74% is a large
number in itself but considering that this study was conducted among
students in tertiary institutions makes it more mind boggling. If
Nigeria is going to attain 100VNRD status, we must remove ignorance
from the cog of the wheel of the blood transfusion service.

Lala Oluwatobi K
Executive Director, Admin
BLOOD DRIVE INITIATIVE

BDI welcomes all to 2011

2011-01-10T03:08:00.001-08:00

Friends,
Compliments of the season to you all. Thanks for your numerous support
to our drive for life in the year 2010. I want to inform you all that
we were able to do the much we can by the grace of God and by your
support. As we remain committed to our drive for life in order tom see
that Nigerian in no time joins the committee of nation with
availability of safe blood via attainment of 100% Voluntary
Non-Remunerative Blood Donation (VNRBD), we want to solicit your
invaluable support and contributions so we can have the challenges
facing the blood transfusion services of our health sector addressed.
Once again, while thanking you ahead for positioning yourself to join
in this drive for life, I want to specially wish you all a graceful
and fulfilling NEW YEAR!
Thanks for being as committed as we are to giving someone a chance at
life via availability of safe blood.

Adeluwoye 'Tosin Adekunle
Executive Director, Operations,
Blood Drive Initiative
princekunlzy@gmail.com, bdinitiative@gmail.com
08035434655.

BDI National commemorates World Aids Day in style

2010-12-09T07:44:00.001-08:00

In commemoration of World Aids Day celebrated every 1st of December annually, the Natioanl leaders of BDI in conjunction with the leaders and members of her Oyo state Community Based BDI Unit (CBBU), staged sereis of advocacy activities to mark the day. The crux of their advocacy message is the availability of safe blood through voluntary non-remunerative blood donation (VNRBD) as this system is the only safest means of sourcing HIV and other blood borne infections-free bllod fopr transfusion to patients in need. Activities included visti to the mangement of University college Hospital, Ibadan, National blood transfusion service, south-west zonal center, ibadan, NTA Ibadan Network Centre, Agodi, Deputy Director, Blood Bank, UCH, as well as creating awareness among the public. Sights and sound/details to be posted soon.

ADVOCACY LETTER IN COMMEMORATION OF WOLRD AIDS DAY 2010

2010-12-01T07:44:00.000-08:00

AVAILABILITY OF SAFE BLOOD TOWARDS AN HIV-FREE SOCIETY:
A CALL TO ACTION
Annually, World AIDS Day (WAD) provides an opportunity for all of us to take action and ensure that human rights are protected and global targets for prevention, treatment and care are met. Since 1988, World AIDS Day has been about increasing interest, inspiring involvement, fighting prejudice, and working to stop the spread of this disease. The theme for this year’s World AIDS Day is Universal Access and Human Rights: which gives us an opportunity to highlight prevention and care as fundamental human rights.
In Blood Drive Initiative (BDI), a youth based nongovernmental organization that has as one of its objectives, “the curb of the spread of HIV/AIDS acquired through the transfusion of unsafe blood”, we are aware that the global community shares one common life source; blood and many in the global community also share a grave concern about this precious life source. Blood is one of the eight key health functions that must be available in any health care facilities. Facts and figures confirm that 1 out of 7 people entering a hospital have need for blood transfusion. This is because much of today’s medical care depends on a steady supply of blood from healthy donors as there remains no substitute for blood. Safe blood transfusion therefore is an ethical imperative, as health care systems should do no harm.
However, the HIV/AIDS pandemic continues to focus particular attention on the importance of preventing transfusion transmitted infections and we are convinced that the global burden of disease due to unsafe blood can be eliminated or substantially reduces through an integrated approach to blood safety. For instance here in Nigeria, last available statistics five years ago puts transmission of infection through unsafe blood transfusion as the second largest source of HIV infection among infected individuals. A fact that then led to the emergence of the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) through the support of United State’s PEPFAR program.
Our belief is that while on World AIDS Day, we pay tribute to millions of people who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS worldwide, we cannot but spread the word that universal access to safe blood for all patients in need of blood or blood product is a basic human right as everyone in need of such should be given a chance at life. 1st of December every year therefore offers us such opportunity to advocate for availability of safe blood towards prevention of HIV/AIDS infection transmissible through blood transfusion.
In BDI therefore, we recognize that;
Blood Transfusion Services (BTS) is the one vital part of modern health care system without which the efficacy of patient management in different clinical scenarios will be greatly reduced.
HIV is the most important of the transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs).
Universal access to safe blood cannot be achieved without systems and mechanisms for ensuring availability of safe blood.
Hence, this call to action because it is our staunch belief that;
Sufficient supplies of safe blood which can only be assured by regular donations from voluntary unpaid donors is critically important to provide safe blood transfusion and give individuals confidence in their health care system, just as universal screening of donated blood for transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs) is.
We have a shared responsibility as governments, health institutions, NGO/civil societies, and individuals to build on the success achieved so far in the fight against this scourge by making informed decisions and smart investments that will help save more lives.
Consequently, our governments should provide framework and regulations that would make availability of safe blood feasible for the citizens, health institutions together with civil societies or NGOs should scale-up their activities centred on voluntary non-remunerative blood donors (VNRBD), while each and every one of us as individuals must commit to spreading awareness on VNRBD as well as volunteering as blood donors.
Finally, we advocate for increased political will-power, favourable policies/regulations, dedicated support and adequate funding towards blood donation activities centred on recruitment of donors who give blood voluntarily and for altruistic reasons as records show globally that this group of blood donors have the lowest prevalence of HIV, hepatitis viruses and other blood-borne infections, as compared to people who donate for family members or in lieu of payment. With this, we are convinced that in no distant time the estimated 5-10% of HIV infections transmitted by unsafe blood transfusion in Africa according to World Health Organization (WHO) will soon become a forgotten past and the achievement of MDG 6 which is to halt and begin to reverse the global HIV epidemic by 2015 comes within reach.
It is our belief that you are as committed to giving someone a chance to live as we are.
Thank you.
Adeluwoye ‘Tosin
Executive Director, Operations
Blood Drive Initiative (BDI)
2348035434655, 2348063443964
bdinitiative@gmail.com princekunlzy@gmail.com
www.bdinitiative.blogspot.com

First Independent Donation Exercise Held and SUCCESSFUL!!!

2010-10-24T01:50:00.000-07:00

It is with great delight and pleasure that I inform you that the first ever independent blood donation exercise was held on Thursday October 21st, 2010 by the AAU, Ekpoma Detachment of Blood Drive Initiative within the premises of the College of Medicine, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.
It was a huge success,as a total number of 128 units of blood were donated in a single day!!! The exercise served as an avenue to build more on the previous success recorded in the institution in April 2010 in which 161 units of blood were donated in a 2-day drive.
Kudos to the entire BDI AAU crew and everyone that made this exercise a big success. Thank you very much!

Blood drive initiative advocate voluntary blood donation

2010-10-12T06:21:00.000-07:00

The landmark discovery of the ABO blood group system by Karl Landsteiner in 1900 paved way for easy transfusion of blood and blood products from one individual to another. The need to continue to ensure that blood is available for continuous use for human transfusion is so enormous.

World health organization (WHO) advocates and recommends to her member states to develop national blood transfusion service (NBTS) based on voluntary non-remunerated regular blood donation (VNRBD) in accordance with WHO assembly resolution 28.72, which was adopted in 1975. Nigeria as a member state is a signatory to this resolution.

Statistics available shows that Nigeria is yet to achieve the state of 100% VNRBD unlike 57 countries around the world as at June 2010. Achieving this state is crucial to the achievement of the millennium development goals and a better health service to the populace.

NBTS statistics shows that, 1 out of every 5 children dies before their 5th birthday; 1 out of every 10 women who dies during pregnancy of childbirth is as a result of bleeding; 9 out of 10 people who need blood transfusion may not get safe blood; and 1 in every 2 accidents on our roads is usually critical.

The fate of those in need of blood should not be put in the hands of paid donors or family replacement donors but in the hands of voluntary donors (i.e. those who give blood for storage at the blood bank for transfusion to an unknown recipient) who are you and I.

The benefit of being a voluntary non-remunerated blood donor cannot be quantified materially, it is humanitarian as you are giving a gift of life and saving a life. Health benefits of being a voluntary blood donor are ; it reduces the risk of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases; the bone marrow (source of blood production) is put to use more frequently which reduces the risk of developing blood cancer ;donors have greater access to there health monitoring when they donate; and also free laboratory screening for HIV ,Hepatitis B and C and Syphilis .

Blood drive initiative (BDI) an organization with the desire to provide safe and sustainable blood supply to meet the rising need for blood and blood products in the country that “the average, educated,healthy and well- to-do’’ citizen of this country whose life style is compatible with the criteria for a healthy donor do not donate blood unless compelled by circumstances this shouldn’t be the attitude of citizenry to blood donation but should be altruistic. Towards this BDI , a youth-based organization is in the front gear of canvassing for 100% voluntary non remunerative blood donation in Nigeria by currently operating from University based detachment such as LAUTECH (Oshogbo and Ogbomosho), UNIILORIN, EBSU ,UI,UNAAB, UNICAL ,UNIILAG , FEDPOLY EDE and our foremost detachment ,here AAU Ekpoma .

Join BDI and other organizations in this humanitarian efforts to ensure that Nigeria achieve 100% voluntary non remunerated regular blood donation by given what science has not been able to create nor money can buy.

Adekoga Adeniji ,N.
Coordinator, BDI A.A.U. Detachment,
Ekpoma, Edo state.
08033949820

A report on workshop held for members carried out in A.A.U. Detachment

2010-10-12T06:17:00.000-07:00

The workshop was held on sat. 25th sept. 2010, titled Basic blood
sefety core knowledge. It had in attendance 26 participants.
This workshop was divided into seven sessions
based on the materials given by SBFA. The trainers were Adeniji
Adekoga, Shamsudeen Pedro, and Osim Amber.
Each participant was given a certificate of participation at the end of the workshop.
Challenges:
1. Due to fees attached to the workshop not all members of the detachment were able to be part of it.
2. The inability to get resource person from SBFA hindered our ability to answer some technical questions raised during the workshop.
Thank you.
Adeniji Adekoga
Coordinator,
Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma BDI Detachment.
08033949820

NBTS Kogi State Centre enlist the service of Blood Drive Initiative

2010-08-17T05:13:00.000-07:00

Blood Drive Iniative was recently invited by NBTS Kogi sate centre to come and help with the establishment of BDI detachments in institution within the state, so as to help boost turnover in the number of units of blood obtainable form voluntary, non-remunerative blood donors. From the first visit made between 3rd and 6th of August, 2010, the coordinator of the centre lament that the state is getting far below the units of blood meant to meet the need of the state heatlh centres and other adjoining health centres they serve. "The state needs about 6,000 units of blood per month to be able to satisfy the needs of its citizens. Meanwhile a far-crying average of about 300units is gotten per month." He acknowledge the great work BDI is doing with other NBTS zonal centres, South-west for instance where in a single drive, BDI is able to recruite and mobilize over 400 units of blood. Hence, bringing her expertise to bear, BDI team led by the Executive Director, Operations, Mr.'Tosin Adeluwoye, visited Kogi Stae Polytechnic, Federal college of Education, Okene; and Kogi State University to open new detachments of BDI.
This week again (17th-19th, August), The Dirtector of Campaign, Mr. Amba Ogar Osim, will be leading another delegate of BDI team to formally inaugurate BDI detachment in the Kogi state Polytechnic, Lokoja, Kogi State,. Nigeria.
Stay connected fort updates.

BDI... Still on the lead!

2010-07-14T05:57:00.000-07:00

Yeah! guys, BDI is still on the front-burner of helping Nigeria achieve 100% VNRBD like other nations of the world. The recent training of her Directors and Coordinators by the foremost international foundation, renown for giving technical expertise as endorsed and funded by the United States' USAIDS & PEPFAR, Safe Bloo...d For Africa Foundation (SBFAF) is no doubt a boost to the operations of Blood Drive Initiative (BDI), the trail-blazing youth-led non-governmental organization in Nigeria (the most populous black nation in the world). This training we believe is in recognition of BDI's milestone achievement in the field of helping to ensure 'safe blood', one of the eight functional tools needed in our health facilities, and its potential to help deliver on the 100% VNRBD global goal, especially as the year 2015 set for the MDGs is fast approaching. Be part of this drive for life today.