Following the collapse of a church building in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, members of the National Association of Seadogs has donated 21 pints of blood to injured victims of the disaster.
The incident happened after the auditorium of the Reigners Bible Church caved in and reportedly claimed several lives while several others were injured.
The association said it responded to the urgent need to donate blood to the injured as there were complaints of shortage of blood in public facilities.
President of NAS, Calabar Municipality chapter of Cross River State, Mr. John Nya, who led other members to the blood donation exercise, said the association heeded the request in order to save lives.
He said it was not the first time members of the association was responding to the call as it did that seven months ago when over 40 pints of blood were donated to Boko Haram victims in the North-Eastern part of the country.
He said, “The National Association of Seadogs has continued to act when the need arises. When we heard of the incident, we contacted the National Blood Transfusion Service centre in Calabar to confirm if there would be need for blood donations. We consider this succour at no cost.
“When they confirmed this at short notice, we mobilised our team and donated 21 pints. We have done this over and over again to save the lives of disaster victims.
“In June, we gave over 40 pints to victims of Boko Haram insurgency. We hope and trust that the blood will get to the destination at little or no cost to the recipients because we gave it for free.”
Receiving the blood on behalf of the victims, Blood Donor Recruiters of the National Blood Transfusion Service centre in Calabar, Mr. Okanga Ngim, commended the association for the timely intervention.
Ngim, who spoke on behalf of the coordinator of centre, Prof. Wilfred Ndifon, said voluntary blood donation is a win-win situation for donor whose system is being replenished while at the same time saving the lives of others.
“We have collected 21 pints of 450mils each. This will go a long way to save the victims of the collapsed church building, who are in need of blood. We are not surprised at the timely intervention of NAS because they have displayed it over and over again.
“This donation is coming at a time when we are experiencing reduced donations from members of the public. Other organisations should emulate NAS for this selfless service,” he said.
by Mudiaga Affe (Calabar)
Punch
17 December, 2016
