NBSA Intensifies FCT Sensitisation Campaign, Urges Health Facilities to Register Before September Deadline

The National Blood Service Agency, NBSA, formerly the National Blood Transfusion Commission, has intensified its regulatory and public-health sensitisation campaign across health facilities, laboratories and blood establishments in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The multidisciplinary exercise focused on compliance with standards for blood collection, testing, processing, storage, distribution and transfusion. Blood remains essential for treating blood loss, obstetric emergencies, trauma, surgery, severe anaemia and other life-threatening conditions.

The NBSA regulates and coordinates blood services nationwide, promotes safe donation, supports quality assurance and ensures compliance with approved standards.

The Agency reminded facilities that blood handling and transfusion require qualified personnel, proper documentation, safe storage, laboratory testing, traceability and strict adherence to professional guidelines.

The NBSA’s free-registration initiative for eligible health facilities and blood establishments will end in September 2026.

Unregistered facilities, laboratories and blood establishments are urged to register before the deadline. Registration enables regulatory monitoring, promotes standards and helps address blood-safety gaps. Non-compliant facilities may face enforcement action, including closure or sealing where legally applicable.

The Agency stressed that donated blood must undergo approved screening and compatibility testing. Facilities must also ensure correct patient identification, proper storage, handling, transportation, documentation and traceability.

Blood safety begins with the donor and continues until the blood reaches the recipient.

NBSA Director-General, Professor Saley Yuguda, commended the task force and called for stronger collaboration among health facilities, laboratories, blood establishments and the Agency.

He urged unregistered facilities to use the free-registration window and warned that non-compliance would attract enforcement measures.

Multidisciplinary Taskforce included representatives of NMCN, HMB, NUJ, AFN, H/QLS, MLSCN, STA, NSCDC, H/HLP, H/HLP, H/Research, MDCN, FMoH, NPF, NEMSAS, D/R, PCN, DBS, PHERMC and FRSC.

The NBSA urged facilities to register before the September 2026 deadline and maintain compliance with applicable standards.

It also encouraged eligible members of the public to donate blood voluntarily through recognised and regulated channels. Patients and families were advised to seek transfusion care from qualified professionals and report any concerns promptly.

Safe blood is a shared responsibility. With the deadline approaching, the NBSA called on all stakeholders to act promptly to strengthen blood safety and protect lives.

Safe blood saves lives. Compliance protects lives. Voluntary donation sustains lives.