The Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF) has urged stakeholders to strengthen partnerships aimed at improving blood safety and ensuring a reliable supply of blood for healthcare services across Nigeria.
The organisation made the call as it joined the Delta State Ministry of Health, the Nigerian Red Cross Society and Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) to commemorate World Blood Donor Day 2026.
In a statement issued in Asaba, VCDF spokesperson Mr Henry Udenenwu said the initiative supported efforts to improve blood availability in line with global recommendations on blood safety.
He said awareness campaigns and blood donation exercises were conducted across Delta State on 16 June under the theme, “One Drop of Humanity: Give Blood, Save Lives.”
According to him, the month-long campaign seeks to encourage voluntary, regular and unpaid blood donation while improving public understanding of its role in saving lives during emergencies, childbirth and the treatment of illnesses including sickle cell disorder.
Donation drives were held at the State Secretariat Clinic and Federal Medical Centre in Asaba, as well as Central Hospital Warri and Central Hospital Ughelli.
Stakeholders at the events stressed that stronger collaboration between government, civil society organisations and the private sector was essential to addressing blood shortages and improving healthcare delivery.
Representing the Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Gloria Patrick-Ferife, commended VCDF and its partners for promoting voluntary blood donation and supporting life-saving health interventions.
VCDF said it would continue working with government institutions and healthcare stakeholders to strengthen public health programmes, adding that the campaign attracted strong community participation and encouraged many first-time donors to commit to regular blood donation.
