In 2018, the Australian Red Cross Service revealed that 1 in 3,500 donations tested positive for infectious agents. The report further illumined significant weaknesses in donor evaluation, which had deliquesced to the point of compromising the safety of blood supply.
Olajide Bello [not real name] was enthused by the compelling details presented during World Blood Donor Day, including the benefits and its crucial role in solving complex medical problems.
But, his enthusiasm for volunteering for a routine blood donation at a local hospital would turn into a nightmare. He had hepatitis. This was confirmed after a blood test revealed the viral infection. The results indicated that he got infected due to the contaminated materials used by the negligent healthcare attendant who took his blood in June, 2024.
“I didn’t expect this given their [the medical attendants] expertise in the profession. How could such a mistake happen? I am wondering why the attendant would have collected my blood using contaminated materials,” said the 34-year old trader.
Despite the lifesaving benefits of blood transfusions, hidden dangers lurk in the dark. Globally observed on June 14, World Blood Donor Day celebrates Karl Landsteiner, the father of the ABO blood group system, whose discovery has ensured the safety of blood transfusions worldwide.
This annual event aims to raise awareness for the need of safe blood transfusions, and to appreciate those who have saved lives by voluntary donations, through various activities, including public awareness campaigns, concerts and mobile blood drives.
Tainted blood transfusion is the process of transferring blood or blood products contaminated with infectious agents, such as bacteria, parasites, or viruses (HIV, Hepatitis), resulting in transmission of bloodborne diseases.
This incident induces medically trepidative concerns over the various happenings during the stages of blood transfusion process, such as blood collection, testing and screening, storage and transportation, and patient administration.
Notably, the hepatitis infection that rived Bello’s enthusiasm for this lifesaving procedure, which has been widely implemented for decades, amplifies the rage against unscreened donors who may be carrying infectious, debilitating disease agents.
Lapse in screening and testing protocols is an indisputable potential cause, whose complexity can be attributed to specific factors: gaps in donor vetting process, faulty test kits, meagre testing sample, and failures in screening and testing processes.
In 2018, the Australian Red Cross Service revealed that 1 in 3,500 donations tested positive for infectious agents. The report further illumined significant weaknesses in donor evaluation, which had deliquesced to the point of compromising the safety of blood supply.
The depleted immune defenses during tainted blood transfusions undermines the body’s ability to effectively defend against viral hepatitis (hepatitis B and C), potentially leading to liver disease, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer.
Indeed, this is crucial in preventing viral hepatitis transmission, particularly in regions like Northern Nigeria, where it has a 10-15% prevalence. Vaccination and safe medical practices are essential in reducing the incidence and risk of transmission
Suboptimal donor education and awareness resulted from incomprehensibility on fundamentals of donation, leading to donors’ uncertainty about their health status. Dr Ngozi Immaculata Ugwu, an haematologist, said that “continuous enlightenment will influence potential blood donors to have better knowledge and positive attitude toward voluntary blood donation.”
“Donor education, motivation, and recruitment campaigns can help promote changes in the public’s knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs, so that they understand why blood donation is a vital, lifesaving service to the community,” he added.