By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Enugu State Government, on Wednesday appealed to youths to willingly donate blood to save lives, especially those of accident victims.

The Executive Secretary, Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ENS-PHCDA), Dr George Ugwu, made the appeal while speaking with newsmen in Enugu.

Ugwu said that although the blood banks in the state’s major health facilities had some quantity of blood stored up, at no time was the quantity of blood in these banks enough due to increasing need.

“This inadequacy in quantity and quantum of blood can be seriously felt when there is an accident involving a large number of people and they are admitted in any of the major health facilities.

“Through blood donation, Nigerians, especially young people, can contribute to the improvement of healthcare in the state and country in general.

“You do not know who will urgently need it. It could be someone close to you or even your relatives,” he said.

Ugwu noted that the government and health experts discouraged people from donating blood for monetary gains or purposes since through such practices blood donated might be contaminated and unsafe for human use.

“It is good that health facilities do not allow youths that specifically donate blood to keep the habit of drug abuse or any other negative tendencies.

“It should be voluntary, priceless and done after the health and emotional status of the donor has been clearly established,” he said.

Recall that the United Nations and WHO had set aside June 14 each year as World Blood Donor Day.

The day is meant to thank blood donors worldwide as well as raise awareness on the need for more blood donation among people.