Make Blood Available For Women During Child Birth – OAFLAD
BY GRACE ANYANWU, ABUJA – The Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), has partnered with Terumo BCT, a blood processing and Pathogen Reduction Technologies Company to organize an event on the sidelines of 74th UN General Assembly. The event with the theme ‘the importance of blood for Africa’s mothers,’ held on Wednesday 25th September 2019 at the Rockefeller Plaza, New York.
The meeting which was organized to bring new understanding and heightened awareness around the importance of blood as a vital health care resource, noted that 800 women die in childbirth daily, adding that 60% of which are in sub Saharan Africa.
It also noted that many of these are as a result of blood loss during birth, adding that it is therefore important to make blood available for every woman that needs it.
The meeting reviewed the present practices associated with access to blood, especially to women during delivery and observed gaps with safety and timely delivery.
It also observed the need for participants to work together to increase research, investment and resources to strengthen and develop blood safety systems in Africa.
Members also noted the need to commit to advocating for concrete measures to ensure adequate, safe and sustainable blood for Africa’s mothers and children.
The meeting was attended by First Ladies of Burkina Faso, Burundi, Rwanda, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Niger, Gambia and Chad. Nigeria’s First Lady, Dr. Aisha Buhari was represented by Dr. Hajo Sani, Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria.
The First Ladies of Africa agreed to work tirelessly towards reducing the high rates of maternal, neonatal and child mortality across Africa. They recognized that a lack of infrastructure and equipment for collection and processing of blood components are key impediments to achieving public health goals in Africa – particularly those related to maternal and child health.
