The Gombe State Government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring a safe and adequate supply of blood to support lifesaving care during emergencies and routine medical services.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Habu Dahiru, made this known at a stakeholders’ engagement on a blood donation campaign on Wednesday in Gombe.
He said the campaign, scheduled for next week, marks the first coordinated effort to bring together government agencies, health institutions, civil society organisations, security agencies, faith-based organisations, and community leaders to collectively address the state’s blood shortage.
According to Dahiru, the new strategy focuses on ensuring blood is readily available rather than searching for donors during emergencies. He explained that delays in finding donors often result in preventable loss of lives.
The commissioner highlighted that women in labour, accident and trauma victims, children with severe anaemia, and patients with chronic illnesses frequently require urgent blood transfusions.
Dahiru emphasised that blood donation must remain a humanitarian service and should not be commercialised, adding: “Blood is life and must always be available when needed.”
He said Governor Inuwa Yahaya has approved the campaign for implementation throughout 2026. “Blood storage facilities will be strategically located in high-burden hospitals and zonal centres across the state,” he noted.
Dr Lawal Bala, Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Health, described the initiative as timely in light of increasing road traffic accidents, maternal emergencies, and neonatal complications. He called for collective responsibility and public support for voluntary blood donation to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.
The campaign will focus on community sensitisation, mass media outreach, and engagement with religious and traditional leaders to establish a sustainable network of voluntary blood donors across Gombe State.
