Lagos unveils blood donation drive, targets 10 LGAs

The Lagos State Government has launched a campaign to promote voluntary blood donation across its 20 local government areas, with the first phase focusing on the Eti-Osa Local Government Area. The initiative, coordinated by the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS), aims to raise awareness about the importance of regular blood donation and ensure that safe blood is readily available when needed.

Dr Bodunrin Osikomaiya, the Executive Secretary of the LSBTS, announced that this would be the first of 10 planned advocacy and sensitization programs across the state’s local government areas, including Ojo, Ibeju-Lekki, Badagry, Epe and Lagos Island.

During the launch, held at the Maternal and Child Centre in Eti-Osa, the government presented essential supplies, such as blood bags, gloves, sample bottles, donor forms, information materials and voluntary blood donation cards, to support the facility's blood collection efforts. The LSBTS also praised the Lagos State Government for providing necessary funds, personnel, and logistics to strengthen the state’s blood supply system, emphasizing that safe blood remains a priority.

The campaign’s objective is to encourage residents, particularly husbands of pregnant women, to donate blood regularly, with the Hospital promising to continue strengthening its blood transfusion capacity to support safe antenatal care and deliveries. Olufemi Aletan, the Medical Director at the MCC Eti-Osa, shared his experience as a regular donor and urged the public to overcome any fear associated with blood donation, highlighting that it is a citizen’s responsibility to give back to society.

Fourteen-time donor Olawale Alaba emphasized the simplicity of the process and the significant impact of regular donations.