The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Haima Health, Bukola Bolarinwa, has called for increased investment in blood donation systems and stronger public awareness campaigns to address the persistent shortage of safe blood in Nigeria.

In a statement issued to commemorate World Blood Donor Day 2026, Bolarinwa said Nigeria continues to fall below the blood collection benchmark recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), which advises countries to collect blood equivalent to at least one per cent of their population annually.

She warned that inadequate access to safe blood remains a major public health challenge, particularly for women experiencing childbirth complications, people living with sickle cell disease, accident victims, cancer patients and individuals requiring emergency surgical procedures.

According to Bolarinwa, several factors continue to limit blood availability in the country, including misconceptions about blood donation, cultural beliefs that discourage first-time donors and insufficient blood collection infrastructure, especially in rural communities.

She stressed that overcoming these challenges would require sustained investment in blood donation systems, stronger donor retention strategies, expanded opportunities for voluntary donations and closer collaboration among government agencies, healthcare institutions and private sector organisations.

Bolarinwa noted that access to safe blood should not depend on emergency appeals, personal connections or chance, but should be readily available whenever patients require it.

She said Haima Health has spent the past decade mobilising blood donors through community outreach programmes, pop-up donation centres and institutional partnerships across the country, resulting in the collection of thousands of units of blood.

The organisation, she added, works closely with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee, the National Blood Service Agency, universities, non-governmental organisations and faith-based groups to promote voluntary blood donation and improve access to safe blood supplies.

Bolarinwa commended blood donors, volunteers, healthcare workers and partner organisations for their contributions to strengthening the nation’s blood supply system.

She also praised students, professionals, community members and first-time donors who continue to participate in blood donation drives despite existing challenges.

While acknowledging progress made in recent years, the Haima Health founder said many Nigerians still face difficulties accessing safe blood when needed, describing the issue as a life-and-death challenge for countless families across the country.

She urged eligible Nigerians to become regular voluntary blood donors and called on stakeholders to provide greater support for institutions working to improve blood availability nationwide.

According to her, every blood donation has the potential to save lives, provide hope to patients and offer relief to families facing medical emergencies.