UUTH capable of separating whole blood into other blood components on HWN HIGHLIGHT

The management of University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) has broken new grounds as whole blood can now be separated into various blood components as the Haematology Department in the hospital has begun the process of blood separation.

According to the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Prof. Etete Peters, with the new centre, further derivatives can be obtained from plasma, a process known as fractionation where one unit of blood can benefit more than one patient after its separation into plasma, red cell and platelet components.

The centre, which was commissioned by the Chairman, Governing Board of the hospital, Dr. Iretioluwa Oniyide at the weekend, said that the medical equipment, worth millions of naira, was donated by an American Philanthropic Organisation Safe Blood Foundation of Sacramento California to the university.

Prof. Peters said that in the past, whole blood was the only preparation that could be administered to replace red cells, platelets, coagulation factors in addition to what a patient is required, noting that this used to cause unnecessary administration of unwanted cells or plasma constituents.

He explained that significant advance in transfusion medicine was made when techniques became available for separation of blood in a closed system and patients could be administered specific replacement therapy.

With the availability of this facility, the CMD urged the people to avail themselves of the use, and reassured them of the hospital's commitment to provide qualitative healthcare for them.

He, however, called on multinational companies and well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the kind gesture of the American Blood group by coming to the aid of the hospital to enable it deliver better services to the people.

According to him, government alone can no longer shoulder the responsibilities in the health sector even in the advanced countries, as well-to-do-members of the society and corporate establishments always assist by supporting their healthcare system.

He said that the hospital, though a relatively young institution, is currently providing primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare services to over four million people, adding that the hospital is poised towards ensuring that patients and visitors get the most effective service with utmost satisfaction.

"Today, we receive over 1,000 patients daily and our bed capacity has moved from 200 in the last two years to over 600 which means that we now operate zero bed utilisation.

"Although many of our facilities have been overstretched, but we are undaunted as we will continue to partner other stakeholders in the health sector to improve the capacity and quality of the services we render", he said.

The CMD however appeal to visitors to the teaching hospital to always be patient and show understanding in realisation of the enormous pressure on the health institution.

[HWN/GUARDIAN]