See List of 10 LGAs Where Lagos Is Taking Blood Donation Campaign

Kehinde Adeleye

The Lagos State Government has taken its campaign for regular voluntary blood donation to the grassroots, urging residents to make blood donation a routine act rather than waiting for emergencies before coming forward.

The initiative, led by the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS), is being implemented across 10 local government areas as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s supply of safe blood and reduce shortages in health facilities.

The campaign kicked off in Eti-Osa with an advocacy walk and sensitisation exercise at Jubilee Bridge and Jubilee Market in Ajah.

During the exercise, health officials encouraged eligible residents to donate blood regularly, stressing that a readily available blood supply is essential during surgeries, childbirth complications, accidents and other medical emergencies.

The Executive Secretary of LSBTS, Dr Bodunrin Osikomaiya, said the Ajah outreach was the first phase of a broader campaign that would reach communities in Ojo, Ibeju-Lekki, Badagry, Epe and Lagos Island, among others.

Osikomaiya said the government was focused on changing misconceptions about blood donation and encouraging more residents to see it as a normal part of community service.

She explained that eligible donors could give blood through mobile collection teams deployed to campaign locations or at designated government hospitals.

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

She said registered voluntary donors would be able to access blood without out-of-pocket payment, describing the arrangement as an incentive for residents to continue donating regularly.

The Medical Director of the Maternal and Child Centre, Eti-Osa, Dr Olufemi Aletan, said the facility’s collaboration with LSBTS had highlighted the importance of maintaining adequate stocks of blood and blood products, particularly for pregnant women and patients who suffer severe blood loss.

Aletan recalled situations where patients required products such as fresh frozen plasma, noting that delays in accessing blood could have serious consequences.

He disclosed that the facility was working towards establishing its own blood bank and encouraged husbands of pregnant women and other eligible residents to become regular donors.

Several donors who participated in the campaign also shared their experiences in an effort to dispel fears surrounding blood donation.

Olawale Alaba, who has donated blood 13 times, urged eligible Nigerians to donate every three months, describing the process as a simple way to save lives.

Another donor, Taiwo Abifarin, said his decision to donate was driven by a desire to contribute positively to society.

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

Sulaiman said his personal experience when his child needed blood made him realise the importance of having willing donors available before emergencies occur.

LSBTS said the campaign would continue across other local government areas as Lagos works towards building a stronger culture of regular, voluntary and non-remunerated blood donation.