The partnership project between the Universitätsmedizin Greifswald and the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) in conjunction with the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku\/Ozalla (UNTH), aims to improve the safety of blood donations and blood transfusions, as well as reducing alloimmunisation in patients needing transfusions.
Problem: Nigeria is facing major challenges in the field of haematological disorders, especially relating to postpartum bleeding, trauma, malaria and sickle cell anaemia. The problems include a lack of blood donors, the transmission of infectious diseases through donated blood, reactions to transfusions and a lack of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for managing blood transfusions.
Main activities: Blood transfusions and centrifuges are being put in place at the AKTH and the UNTH, and SOPs introduced for the management of blood transfusions. Health professionals are also being trained in blood-typing, differentiating antibodies and quality management.
Short-term results: By setting up blood transfusion centres and providing advanced training for AKTH and UNTH staff in the field of blood transfusion, the necessary capacities are to be developed for dealing safely with donated blood.
Long-term results: Care available to patients who depend on blood transfusions is to be enhanced.