Janet Ogundepo Senior blood transfusion experts and hepatologists have kicked against carrying out blood transfusion at home or outside medically regulated environments, warning that it is unsafe and a criminal offence in the country. They noted that such practices could lead to blood transfusion complications and the transmission of blood-borne infections such as Hepatitis B and C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus. In separate interviews with PUNCH Healthwise, the haematologist and hepatologist condemned the activities of quack and unlicensed medical practitioners who collected blood from donors and transfused them to the recipients without the required screening.
The hepatologist noted that there have been clinically reported cases of Hepatitis infection through blood transfusion done at home. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, there is an increased chance of being infected with Hepatitis C through transfusion of unscreened blood as well as through tattoos, piercing, sharing injection drug use equipment or engaging in unprotected sexual activity with infected persons. The World Health Organisation states that the Hepatitis C virus is blood-borne and most infections occur through unsafe injection practices, unscreened blood transfusions, unsafe healthcare and sexual practices that lead to blood exposure.
To further drive public awareness, advocacy, education and action towards eliminating viral hepatitis, the WHO set aside July 28 every year to comme.