500 blood units compromised due to power outage – NBSC

The National Blood Service Commission (NBSC) says that 500 units of blood were compromised due to the disconnection of the Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

This is contained in a statement issued by Mr. Haruna Abdullahi, Head, Media and Publicity of the commission.

“No fewer than 500 units of blood collected from voluntary blood donors have been compromised following the power outage to our headquarters.

“The power outage also presents a major impediment to voluntary blood donors due to risks to their safety as donors.

“In the coming days, the shortage of safe blood for patients in need will affect Nigerians as a result of ill-conceived action by the AEDC, and that unless the problem is addressed,” the commission said.

In the statement, the commission explained how important the supply of electricity is to the commission, especially in the area of ensuring the safety of blood before use.

“The AEDC’s decision to cut off the commission’s electricity supply on January 21 after we made some outstanding payments in December 2021 leaves the commission surprised.

“This is all the more shocking given that the commission has just paid its outstanding bills.

“Available correspondence from the AEDC to the commission shows a bill presented to the commission on January 5, 2022 stating that the payment due date is January 17.

“The company’s decision to cut off the electricity supply leaves a point of disbelief and total disregard for civility, especially in a sector as sensitive as the blood commission.

“Why was the power cut off even when there was no history of a default disposition by the NBSC?

“Isn’t there a mandatory notice of 90 days of disconnection established by the Electricity regulator? The company’s lack of rigor in reconciling the data available to it.

“The inconsistency between the submitted invoices and the irregularity of the electricity supply to the NBSC headquarters is largely responsible for this avoidable crisis,” he stressed.

The commission also alleged that the AEDC refused to issue the requested prepaid meter after more than two years of continuous requests that would have allowed the commission to prudently monitor and control its electricity consumption.

The commission also frowned at the sudden increase in their bill from N350,000 to N700,000 in one year, even with the same equipment and consumption.

He added that a prepaid meter would allow the commission to regulate its consumption than the AEDC’s preferred, unscientific and difficult-to-measure estimated billing system.