A Kano-based radio station, Arewa Radio, has generated 500 pints of blood for sickle cell victims after it encouraged listeners through special enlightenment programmes to donate blood.
Binta Fulani, who anchored the programme on Arewa Radio, said on Sunday in Kano that she was excited to the manner in which people responded to their appeal for blood donation.
According to her, after a week-long jingles, interviews with experts and other enlightenment campaigns on the need for blood donation, people from as far as Katsina and Nigeria Republic, responded positively.
Ms Fulani added that at the end of the campaign, the blood donor clinic of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, received about 500 pints of blood.
“This is the biggest record for blood donation drive in Kano to support sickle cell patients.
“It was in commemoration of the World Sickle Cell Awareness Day and the World Blood Donor Day 2023.
“With the help and support of our partners, we were able to set a new record of close to 500 pints of blood donation for our sickle cell warriors.”
She said that the initiative will continue, adding that “this is just the beginning, we are open to more collaboration to sustain this milestone”.
Ms Fulani expressed the hope that some of the challenges of blood donation in the country will be addressed going forward.
“One of the biggest challenges of blood donation, aside the poor level of awareness, is the high cost of blood bags as the country relies on imports from foreign countries,” she added.
Ms Fulani said that 110 pints of the blood has been set aside for Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, 100 pints each for Muhammadu Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital, Murtala Specialist Hospital and Hasiya Bayero Pediatrics Hospital.
She added that 25 pints of the blood would go to Dala Orthopedic Hospital.
Ms Fulani who doubles as the Corporate Liaison Officer, Arewa Radio, explained that the campaign was conducted in collaboration with organisations like the Sickle Cell Trust Fund, Sickle Cell Community, and Sickle Cell Club.
Others are Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Danmaliki Pharmaceuticals, Red Cross, Novomed Pharmacy, and REACH PROGRAM, among others.
NAN
