The Lagos State Government has launched a local government-wide blood donation campaign aimed at making voluntary blood donation a regular habit among residents and ensuring that safe blood is available whenever emergencies strike.

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.

Executive Secretary of LSBTS, Dr Bodunrin Osikomaiya, said the Eti-Osa exercise was the first of 10 advocacy and sensitisation programmes planned across Lagos’ 20 local government areas.

She said the initiative would combine public education with opportunities for residents to donate through a blood mobile stationed at campaign venues and designated government hospitals.

“The objective is to make safe blood readily available to residents,” Osikomaiya said, stressing that strengthening the state’s blood supply system remained a public health priority.

To this end, Lagos residents are therefore urged to respond to the campaign by donating regularly and encouraging eligible family members, colleagues and friends to join the voluntary blood donation movement.

The campaign will extend to areas including Ojo, Ibeju-Lekki, Badagry, Epe and Lagos Island, with the government providing funding, personnel and logistics to support the drive.

As part of efforts to expand blood collection capacity, LSBTS also presented blood bags, gloves, sample bottles, donor forms, information materials and voluntary blood donation cards to the Medical Care Centre (MCC), Eti-Osa.

Osikomaiya explained that residents issued voluntary blood donation cards would be entitled to receive blood without out-of-pocket payment, providing an additional incentive for regular donation.

Medical Director of MCC Eti-Osa, Dr Olufemi Aletan, said reliable access to blood could mean the difference between life and death, particularly for pregnant women and patients experiencing severe bleeding.

He disclosed that the facility was working towards establishing an independent blood bank and urged more residents, especially husbands of pregnant women, to become regular donors.

The campaign also drew encouragement from repeat donors. Thirteen-time donor, Mr Olawale Alaba, described blood donation as a simple act that should not be restricted to emergencies involving relatives or friends.

He urged eligible residents to donate every three months, while two-time donor Mr Taiwo Abifarin said donation was his way of saving lives and giving back to society.

First-time donors Abdullahi Mohammed, Rabiu Abiodun and Gbadamosi Sulaiman also encouraged residents to overcome fear and donate voluntarily.

The LSBTS campaign seeks to build a sustainable pool of voluntary donors, reduce dependence on emergency and replacement donations, strengthen hospital blood stocks and improve outcomes for patients requiring transfusion.

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