…..N90 Billion needed to close blood gap.
By Katherine Abayomi
Nigeria needs two million units of blood annually, but only manages to collect about 500,000—leaving a staggering 75% shortfall. This critical gap puts the lives of mothers in labour, accident victims, children with sickle cell anaemia, and cancer patients at serious risk.
An estimated 80,000 women die each year from maternal-related causes. The nation’s blood system is overstretched, underfunded, and often relies on unsafe paid donations that compromise patient care.
Analyses indicate that it would cost N90 billion to bridge the current blood supply gap using commercial rates. A single unit of blood in private hospitals costs up to N25,000, excluding administrative fees. Yet, Nigeria’s per capita health spending stands at just N11,724 ($7.8), highlighting a system where patients bear the burden of a structure not designed to support them.
Blood should not be treated as a commodity. It is not a business model—it is a basic right. What Nigeria needs now is more than funding; it requires a national movement towards voluntary, non-remunerated donation, safe and centralized screening, as well as the establishment of strong policies, infrastructure, and trust.
