Favour Ozioma Ogbodo
The Federal Government has reaffirmed the Prohibition of the use of rapid test kits to screen blood meant for transition purposes in the country.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, gave the directive in a press conference to commemorate the national blood donation day campaign in Abuja.
Representative of Prof Ali Pate, Dr. Amuno Ogbonna, speaking on the resolutions from the just concluded 55th National Health Council on Friday, explained that the move is to ensure safe and balanced access to blood and blood products.
He added that the National Blood Service Commission (NBSC) had commenced registration of hospital blood banks and blood establishments nationwide to ensure effective implementation of this new development.
He affirms, “I wish to remind all blood safety stakeholders that the use of enzymes- linked immunosorbent assay techniques remains the minimum standard for screening of blood meant for transfusion purposes in Nigeria.
“I further wish to reiterate that the continuous use of rapid test-kits to screen blood meant for transfusion in Nigeria is unacceptable and I urge stakeholders to ensure that they fully comply with the decision,” the Minister said.
