Lagos Launches Drive to Increase Safe Blood Supply Across 10 LGAs

Lagos Launches Drive to Increase Safe Blood Supply Across 10 LGAs
Urges Residents to Make Voluntary Blood Donation a Lifestyle
Moves to End Blood Shortages With Grassroots Donation Campaign

The Lagos State Government has launched a grassroots campaign aimed at encouraging residents to make voluntary blood donation a regular lifestyle and helping to improve access to safe blood across the state.

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Eko Hot Blog reports that the campaign, being implemented by the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS), targets 10 local government areas and is designed to increase public awareness while reducing shortages during emergencies and routine medical procedures.

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The awareness campaign began with an advocacy walk and sensitisation exercise at Jubilee Bridge and Jubilee Market in Ajah, Eti-Osa Local Government Area.

The LSBTS urged eligible residents to donate blood regularly rather than waiting until relatives or friends require urgent transfusion.

The Executive Secretary of LSBTS, Dr Bodunrin Osikomaiya, said the Eti-Osa exercise marked the beginning of a wider advocacy programme that would extend to Ojo, Ibeju-Lekki, Badagry, Epe and Lagos Island, among other areas.

She said the campaign was aimed at changing public perceptions about blood donation and encouraging residents to make it a routine practice.

According to her, residents can donate through mobile blood collection units deployed to campaign locations or at designated government hospitals.

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Osikomaiya stressed that having safe blood readily available was crucial for saving lives during emergencies, surgeries, childbirth complications and other medical conditions requiring urgent transfusion.

She also commended the Lagos State Government for providing funding, personnel and logistics to strengthen the state’s blood supply system.

As part of the campaign, Osikomaiya visited the Maternal and Child Centre, Eti-Osa, where she presented blood collection materials, including blood bags, gloves, sample bottles, donor forms, information materials and voluntary blood donation cards.

She explained that registered cardholders would be able to access blood without making out-of-pocket payments, describing the initiative as an incentive for regular voluntary donation.

The Medical Director of MCC Eti-Osa, Dr Olufemi Aletan, said the facility’s partnership with LSBTS had reinforced the importance of maintaining adequate supplies of blood and blood products, particularly for pregnant women and patients suffering severe blood loss.

Aletan recalled cases involving patients who required fresh frozen plasma, noting that timely access to blood products could make the difference between life and death.

He said the facility was working towards establishing an independent blood bank and urged husbands of pregnant women and other eligible residents to donate regularly.

Some voluntary donors also shared their experiences to encourage others to overcome fears and misconceptions surrounding blood donation.

Olawale Alaba, who has donated blood 13 times, encouraged eligible Nigerians to donate every three months, describing blood donation as a simple act capable of saving lives.

Another donor, Taiwo Abifarin, who has donated twice, said he gives blood as a way of contributing to society.

First-time donors, including Abdullahi Mohammed, Rabiu Abiodun and Gbadamosi Sulaiman, also encouraged residents to overcome their fears and embrace voluntary donation.

Sulaiman said his experience when his child needed blood strengthened his belief that voluntary blood donation was a civic responsibility.

The LSBTS said the campaign would continue across other local government areas as the state seeks to build a culture of regular, voluntary and non-remunerated blood donation while reducing dependence on emergency replacement donations.