The World Health Organisation (WHO) says staff shortage and limited funding are affecting effective blood donation drive in Nigeria and other countries in the region.

WHO Regional Director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, said this yesterday in her statement to mark this year’s World Blood Donor Day themed ‘Donating Blood is an Act of Solidarity.’

She said as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, voluntary unpaid blood donations dropped significantly. 

She said: “Countries across the African Region have worked hard to improve blood donation frequency, and the situation is showing signs of stabilizing. Blood transfusion services in many countries reached out to blood donors through public awareness campaigns, transporting donors from and to their homes, using digital platforms and establishing call centres.”