Assessment of Cold Chain Management for Blood Components at Government Hospitals in Cross River State, South South Nigeria

This study assesses cold chain management practices for blood and blood component storage at government hospitals in Cross River State, South South Nigeria. Maintaining the integrity of blood products throughout storage requires strict temperature control, and failures in cold chain management lead to compromised product efficacy and increased transfusion reaction risk. A professional facility assessment was conducted at 12 government hospitals including one tertiary and 11 secondary facilities in Cross River State. The assessment tool evaluated refrigeration equipment functionality, temperature monitoring frequency, alarm systems, back-up power provisions, transport cold chain for remote deliveries, and staff training records. Findings revealed that only four of 12 facilities had functional blood bank refrigerators with calibrated thermometers. Continuous temperature logging was performed in only three facilities. Back-up power for blood storage was available at the tertiary hospital but absent or unreliable at 9 of 11 secondary hospitals. Blood component separation capability was limited to the tertiary facility. Staff managing blood storage had received cold chain training in only 38 percent of facilities. Temperature excursions affecting blood quality were estimated to affect 15 to 22 percent of stored units based on temperature log review. The study recommends prioritised funding for blood storage equipment maintenance and replacement, solar-backed refrigeration solutions for secondary facilities, and a structured cold chain management competency programme for all blood bank personnel in Cross River State. Keywords: cold chain management, blood components, blood storage, hospital facilities, Cross River State.