The Lagos State Government has commenced a grassroots campaign to encourage residents to make voluntary blood donation a regular practice and strengthen the state’s blood supply system.
The campaign, led by the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS), began on Monday, August 24, with an advocacy walk and one-on-one sensitisation at Jubilee Bridge and Jubilee Market in Ajah, Eti-Osa Local Government Area.
The Executive Secretary of LSBTS, Dr Bodunrin Osikomaiya, said the Ajah exercise was the first of 10 advocacy and sensitisation programmes planned across the state’s 20 local government areas.
She said the campaign would also reach communities in Ojo, Ibeju-Lekki, Badagry, Epe and Lagos Island, among other areas.
Osikomaiya urged eligible residents to donate blood regularly, stressing that a steady supply of safe blood was essential for patients who require urgent transfusion.
She explained that residents could donate through the blood mobile stationed at the campaign venue or at designated government hospitals.
At the Maternal and Child Centre (MCC), Eti-Osa, the LSBTS executive secretary presented blood bags, gloves, sample bottles, donor forms, information materials and voluntary blood donation cards to support the collection exercise.
She added that holders of the voluntary blood donation card would be able to access blood without making out-of-pocket payments when the need arises.
The Medical Director of MCC Eti-Osa, Dr Olufemi Aletan, described the partnership with LSBTS as important, particularly for emergencies involving pregnant women and patients suffering blood loss.
Aletan disclosed that the hospital had handled cases requiring fresh frozen plasma and was working towards establishing an independent blood bank.
He encouraged residents, especially husbands of pregnant women, to donate regularly to support safe antenatal care and childbirth.
Meanwhile, regular donors and first-time participants used the campaign to urge more residents to overcome their fears and embrace voluntary blood donation.
Mr Olawale Alaba, who has donated blood 13 times, advised eligible people to donate every three months, while two-time donor Taiwo Abifarin said his motivation was to save lives and contribute to society.
First-time donors Abdullahi Mohammed, Rabiu Abiodun and Gbadamosi Sulaiman also encouraged others to participate, with Sulaiman describing blood donation as a civic responsibility and recalling his child’s previous need for blood.
