One Pint can save a Life

By Emerald Awa- Agwu

World Blood Donor Day is celebrated across the world every year on  June 14. The day is to celebrate and thank volunteers who donate their blood to help save lives. The day is also an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of regular blood donations.  The provision of safe, readily available blood and blood products in sufficient quantities is a vital function of effective health systems.

Earlier this week, eHealth Africa partnered with the Kano state chapter of the International Red Cross in Nigeria to host a blood drive for its staff..

Do you want to know how it went? Click through the slideshow below to see first- time blood donation through the eyes of Olumide, a senior associate in our Geographic Information Systems (GIS) department.

Olumide waits in line to be assessed by the Red Cross personnel

He completes an assessment form and supplies information about his medical history to help the Red Cross assess if he is eligible to donate blood.

Olumide's full blood count and hemoglobin levels are checked. Looks like he's scared of needles!

Olumide is cleared by the Red Cross team and is given a blood bang and a number

Aha! Found a vein! The process of Olumide’s bleeding/ blood collection process begins

A few minutes into bleeding time

Almost done! Looks like Olumide is getting impatient

Bleeding over! Rest mode activated

Olumide gets some goodies to replenish his strength

On to the next! Olumide's session ends and Tim's session begins

All that good stuff! The Red Cross Team stores the blood bags in a cooler to preserve till it gets to the blood bank