After several years of seeking a legal instrument to formalize the activities of the primary blood supply agency, the National Blood Service, under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, and by the President’s assent got the National Blood Service Bill passed, National Blood Service Act, 2020 (Act 1042).

The Act primarily seeks to establish the National Blood Service as the primary agency for blood and products collection, processing, storage, distribution, and related matters. The Act consists of 36 sections, including portions that deal with the Blood Service, its governance, technical advisory committee, administration and finances. It is worth mentioning that other areas of the Act spell out some offences and penalties, which in the long haul would help curb illegal practices relating to blood donation and its commercialization. Commercializing blood donation is criminalized under the Act.

Our cherished wish is that all our stakeholders would do well to grab a copy of the National Blood Service Act, 2020 (Act 1042) from the Assembly Press within all the country’s regional capitals.