The Cross River State Government has commenced moves to strengthen blood transfusion services and improve access to safe blood through a proposed partnership with Crimson Wing Blood Logistics, a healthcare organization specializing in blood collection, screening, storage, and distribution.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, disclosed this on Wednesday during a meeting with representatives of the organization in Calabar, describing the initiative as a strategic intervention aimed at addressing a longstanding gap in the state’s healthcare system.
According to Ayuk, Cross River has for decades operated without a robust blood services framework despite the critical role safe blood plays in reducing maternal mortality, child mortality, and emergency-related deaths.
He explained that the proposed collaboration is designed to complement existing structures and support government efforts in providing efficient blood transfusion services without replacing the National Blood Service Agency (NBSA).
The commissioner noted that the arrangement would operate within national guidelines and regulatory frameworks and would be formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) clearly outlining the responsibilities of all parties.
Describing blood transfusion services as one of the most significant gaps in healthcare delivery, Ayuk said Governor Bassey Otu’s administration considers the initiative a critical intervention capable of saving lives and improving healthcare outcomes across the state.
“This is a major gap in our healthcare system that must be addressed. For over two decades, Cross River State has not had a strong and coordinated blood services agenda. By strengthening blood collection, screening, storage, and distribution, we are taking deliberate steps to save lives, reduce preventable maternal and child deaths, and ensure that no patient is denied timely access to safe blood when it is most needed,” Ayuk said.
He disclosed plans to re-establish a dedicated Blood Services Unit within the Ministry of Health and appoint a focal officer to coordinate activities, work with partners, and ensure effective implementation of the programme.
Ayuk further revealed that government is considering the establishment of blood service centres across the three senatorial districts of the state to ensure equitable access to safe blood and strengthen emergency response capacity.
The commissioner added that existing government facilities could be repurposed to support the initiative, while stressing that the state government would continue to work closely with the National Blood Service Agency to ensure compliance with national standards.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Jonah Offor, said the administration of Governor Bassey Edet Otu has created an enabling environment that continues to attract health development partners to the state, providing critical technological, infrastructural, and technical support aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery and improving health outcomes.
Offor expressed optimism that the proposed partnership with Crimson Wing Blood Logistics would achieve its intended objectives, noting that the supportive policy framework and commitment to innovation demonstrated by the Otu administration would provide the necessary foundation for the initiative to succeed and further enhance healthcare service delivery across Cross River State.
Speaking earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Crimson Wing Blood Logistics, Dr. Michael Naiyeju, said the organization’s mission is to make blood safer and more readily available through modern screening, storage, and delivery systems.
Naiyeju emphasized that Crimson Wing is not seeking to replace or compete with the National Blood Service Agency but rather to complement existing efforts and improve efficiency in blood service delivery across the state.
He disclosed that the organization had already engaged extensively with the National Blood Service Agency before approaching the Cross River State Government, ensuring that its operations align with national policies, regulations, and global best practices.
According to him, the proposed partnership would deploy modern technologies to improve blood safety and availability, reduce preventable maternal and paediatric deaths, and ensure that no patient loses his or her life because safe blood is unavailable during emergencies. He added that the organization is prepared to undergo a one-year pilot phase under the supervision of both the National Blood Service Agency and the Ministry of Health to demonstrate its effectiveness.
By Kingsley Agim
