Germany-Nigeria Collaboration Expands Efforts for Safe Blood Transfusion in Nigeria

A groundbreaking initiative aimed at improving blood transfusion safety in Nigeria is gaining momentum through a partnership between Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Universitätsmedizin Greifswald (UMG) in Germany, and the National Blood Service Agency (NBSA). The project, titled “Towards Safe Blood in Nigeria,” seeks to expand the success of AKTH’s transfusion medicine center to hospitals nationwide.

The collaboration, which began in 2016, has already achieved significant milestones, including the establishment of advanced transfusion medicine standards at AKTH. With expertise and support from German partners, Nigerian haematologists have received training in transfusion safety, quality management, and immunohaematological techniques.

A key goal of the project is to address four critical challenges in Nigeria’s blood transfusion system:

1. Insufficient blood supply to meet demand.
2. Safety risks, including the transmission of infectious diseases.
3. Lack of proper compatibility testing, leading to transfusion reactions.
4. Operational errors due to inadequate training and infrastructure.

To combat these issues, the project will establish a national training center for transfusion medicine at AKTH. The center will provide basic and advanced training for blood bank staff, covering hygiene protocols, donor screening, and compatibility testing for patients with complex conditions like sickle cell disease (SCD). Additionally, a specialized auditor training program will strengthen NBSA’s capacity to monitor and regulate blood banks across the country.

The initiative aligns with Nigeria’s National Health Policy (2016) and the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations for improving maternal health, reducing pregnancy-related deaths, and ensuring safer surgeries. With Nigeria home to over six million SCD patients, a reliable blood supply is essential for managing their care.

Over the years, the project has gained international recognition, including an award from the Nigerian Society of Haematology and Blood Transfusion in 2023 for its contributions to blood safety. Funding from organizations such as the German government (BMZ) and EKFS has supported the establishment of AKTH’s transfusion medicine center, which now serves as a model for other hospitals.

As part of the next phase, blood transfusion managers from across Nigeria will be trained in Kano, ensuring that knowledge is passed down to hospitals in a sustainable way. The NBSA will conduct regular audits to maintain high safety standards, a critical step in addressing Nigeria’s long-standing issues with blood safety and availability.

The project’s long -term vision is to create a national network of trained personnel for accreditation of transfusion centers across Nigeria, ensuring that all facilities meet international standards for blood transfusion safety. With the continued commitment of AKTH, UMG, and NBSA, Nigeria is moving closer to achieving a safer and more reliable blood supply system for all.