Inventory Management of Blood and Blood Products at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Borno State, North East Nigeria

This study evaluates blood and blood product inventory management at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) blood bank, Borno State, North East Nigeria. Efficient blood inventory management ensures adequate supply while minimising product wastage from expiry, which is both a financial and ethical concern in resource-limited settings. A retrospective operational audit of blood bank records from January 2021 to December 2023 was conducted, examining blood collection volumes, component preparation rates, issue-to-expiry ratio, shortage frequency, and demand forecasting accuracy. Key informant interviews with blood bank management staff supplemented the record review. Results showed an average monthly blood shortfall of 18 percent relative to clinical demand, with acute shortages occurring most frequently in the wet season and during Ramadan due to reduced donor availability. Blood expiry rates averaged 9.4 percent of total collected units, primarily affecting platelets (18% expiry) due to the short five-day shelf life and unpredictable platelet demand. Component therapy preparation was limited to packed red cells and fresh frozen plasma in 84 percent of cases. Demand forecasting relied on informal experience rather than quantitative methods. The study recommends implementation of a quantitative minimum-maximum inventory model, seasonal blood drive intensification during predicted shortage periods, and development of platelet on-demand ordering protocols to reduce platelet wastage at UMTH. Keywords: blood inventory management, blood bank, expiry rate, demand forecasting, Maiduguri.