Akhabhoa urges residents to donate blood
By Damilola Kushimo
The Medical Director/CEO of Isolo General Hospital, Dr. Godwin Akhabhoa, has made a passionate appeal to members of the public to embrace voluntary blood donation to save lives.
Dr Akhabhoa made the appeal during a voluntary blood donation drive organised by the hospital in conjunction with Lifebank.
Speaking on the theme: “Give blood, save life”, the Medical Director said blood is life and is constantly needed to save lives.
According to him, the purpose of the voluntary blood donation campaign is to sensitize the general public on the need and importance of voluntary blood donation and to encourage them to embrace the same.
He noted that blood is needed in emergency cases most times, calling on the public to not only donate blood, but to also join in sensitising their friends and families on the need to donate blood.
Also speaking, the Assistant Director Laboratory Services, Mrs Omolara Eniayewun, said the need and importance of blood donation cannot be over emphasized.
She said: ” If for no other reason, the love for our neighbours should propel people to donate blood voluntarily.”
One of the donors, the Principal Auditor of the hospital, Mr. Sogunro Oluseye, said he has so far donated blood 27 times.
Another donor, Mr. Alayande Ayandoyin, said he has been donating blood since 2012 and has so far donated 27 times also.
He said it is his own way to help humanity, adding that the thought of saving life encourages him to keep donating blood.
Another regular donor, Dr. Timothy Abodunde of Isolo General Hospital said that he has so far donated over five times.
he said he had donated for a woman who was bleeding after a hysterectomy and especially for the People Living With HIV (PLWHIV).
I feel lighter, healthier and happy after each blood donation,” he said.
A first time donor, Clara Chukwudi said: “This is my first time I have donated blood. For me, finding ways to help people in my community has been my dream. Although I have not had anyone who needed blood, I have always wanted to find ways to help people in need of blood.”
Mr David Anozie, a brand developer and digital advertising practitioner, said the need to save lives had motivated him to donate blood four times.
He narrated how his younger brother was attacked and stabbed by armed robbers, and was transfused with blood when he was rushed to the hospital.
He said his brother would have died if there were no blood.
The Medical Director said all the donors were certified medically fit, adding that their blood samples tested before they were allowed to donate.
Besides donating blood to save lives, he said donors have a number of health benefits which include reduction in risk of cancer, low cholesterol level, replenishes blood, enhances production of new blood cells and helps burn up to 650 calories per donation.
