Medical Women’s Association, AIM/MNCNH Committee Mark World Blood Donor Day with Focus on Maternal Health

By Muhammad Sani Muazu

Bauchi, Nigeria – As part of the global commemoration of the 2025 World Blood Donor Day, the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Bauchi State Chapter, in collaboration with the AIM/MNCNH Committee, held an awareness campaign themed “Donate Blood, Save a Mother: End PPH Deaths.” This year’s global theme, “Give Blood, Give Hope: Together We Save Lives,” underscores the vital role of voluntary blood donation in saving lives, particularly in obstetric emergencies.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Ummuhani Ja’afaru, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital Bauchi, emphasized the significance of the day and the urgent need for safe blood supply in health systems.

“World Blood Donor Day, celebrated every June 14, is a key moment to appreciate those who donate blood voluntarily without expecting anything in return. Every unit of donated blood has the potential to save up to three lives. Blood is critical in surgeries, emergencies, childbirth, and treatment of chronic illnesses like cancer and blood disorders,” Dr. Ja’afaru stated.

She explained that this year’s focus on postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) draws attention to one of the leading causes of maternal deaths in Nigeria. “PPH, which is excessive bleeding after childbirth, accounts for about 25 to 30 percent of maternal deaths in Nigeria. A woman can bleed to death within two hours if help is not quickly administered,” she said.

Dr. Ja’afaru noted that Bauchi State, like many other regions, faces multiple barriers in managing obstetric emergencies. These include delays in recognizing danger signs, in making decisions to seek care, in reaching health facilities due to distance or poor roads, and in receiving prompt treatment due to shortages of staff, supplies, and blood.

“Timely blood transfusion is a cornerstone in the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage. However, there is a critical shortage of voluntary blood donors and limited blood bank capacity, especially in rural areas,” she said.

Highlighting the need for systemic improvements, Dr. Ja’afaru identified prolonged labor, retained placenta, multiple pregnancies, and widespread anemia during pregnancy as common risk factors contributing to PPH. “Addressing these issues requires more than clinical interventions. It calls for public education on birth preparedness, strengthened emergency obstetric care at the primary health care level, and stronger policy support for maternal health infrastructure,” she added.

The MWAN Bauchi campaign seeks to increase awareness on the life-saving impact of blood donation and to encourage more individuals—especially young people—to become regular voluntary donors. It also calls on governments, communities, and stakeholders to invest in safe blood systems and prioritize maternal health.

“This year’s commemoration reminds us that every drop of blood is a gift of hope. Together, we can ensure that life-saving blood is available to every mother, every patient, whenever and wherever it is needed,” Dr. Ja’afaru concluded.

World Blood Donor Day serves not only as a call to action but also as an expression of gratitude to millions of voluntary donors worldwide who, often as strangers, help sustain life with their selfless contributions.