The Cross River State Government has initiated efforts 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 during a meeting with representatives of the organization in Calabar on Wednesday, describing the initiative as a strategic intervention aimed at addressing one of the most critical gaps in the state’s healthcare system.
Ayuk noted that despite the life-saving importance of safe blood, Cross River State has operated for more than two decades without a coordinated blood services framework, a situation that has contributed to preventable maternal, child, and emergency-related deaths.
He explained that the proposed collaboration is intended to complement, rather than replace, the National Blood Service Agency (NBSA), while operating within established national guidelines and regulatory frameworks. According to him, the partnership will be formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining the responsibilities of all parties.
Describing blood transfusion services as a critical component of healthcare delivery, the commissioner said the administration of Governor Senator Bassey Edet Otu considers the initiative a priority capable of significantly improving health 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.
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He announced plans to re-establish a dedicated Blood Services Unit within the Ministry of Health and appoint a focal officer to coordinate activities, engage partners, and oversee implementation of the programme.
Ayuk further revealed that the government is considering the establishment of blood service centres across the state’s three senatorial districts to ensure equitable access to safe blood and strengthen emergency response capacity. He added that existing government facilities could be repurposed to support the initiative, while reaffirming the state’s commitment to working closely with the National Blood Service Agency to ensure full compliance with national standards.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Jonah Offor, said the Governor Otu administration has continued to create an enabling environment that attracts development partners to support the state’s healthcare sector through technological, infrastructural, and technical interventions.
He expressed confidence that the proposed partnership with Crimson Wing Blood Logistics would achieve its objectives, noting that the government’s supportive policy framework and commitment to innovation provide the foundation for sustainable improvements in healthcare service delivery.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Crimson Wing Blood Logistics, Dr. Michael Naiyeju, said the organization’s mission is to make safe blood more accessible through modern screening, storage, and delivery systems.
He stressed that Crimson Wing does not intend to compete with or replace the National Blood Service Agency but seeks to complement existing structures by improving the efficiency of blood service delivery.
Naiyeju disclosed that the organization had engaged extensively with the National Blood Service Agency before approaching the Cross River State Government to ensure that its proposed operations align with national policies, regulatory requirements, and global best practices.
According to him, the partnership will deploy modern technologies to enhance blood safety and availability, reduce preventable maternal and paediatric deaths, and ensure that no patient loses their life due to the unavailability of safe blood during emergencies.
He added that Crimson Wing is prepared to undertake a one-year pilot programme under the joint supervision of the National Blood Service Agency and the Cross River State Ministry of Health to demonstrate the effectiveness of the initiative.
