Lagos Residents Provide 50% Of WHO’s Blood Requirements
Professor Akin Abayomi, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, stated that Lagos State provided approximately 50 percent of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) estimated blood requirement in the year 2021.
The commissioner disclosed this information during the launching of the Corporate Organisation Blood Drive at the 159th World Red Cross Day (WRCD) celebration on Sunday in Lagos. The event was organised by the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), Lagos Branch, with the theme: “#BeHumanKIND.”
The corporate organisation blood drive is a collaboration between the NRCS, Lagos Branch, and the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS).
Professor Abayomi, who was represented by Dr. Bodunrin Osikomaiya, Secretary of the LSBTS, said that the initiative was created out of the need to make up for the shortage in the state.
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“The WHO had estimated that at least 200,000 pints of blood is needed to meet the need of Lagos State. The humanitarian projects are much desired as they are all channeled to improve lives of residents of the state and beyond.”
Abayomi said the Red Cross would reach out to organisations to ensure they understood the reasons, benefits of blood donation and what should be done before donating. He explained by saying, “This will be done within the organisation’s office spaces; if there’s no space, we will take them to our blood mobile to collect and process the blood. Thereafter, it will be distributed to blood banks in the state.”
Mrs Adebola Kolawole, the Chairman of the NCRS, Lagos Branch, also said that the initiative was targeted at corporate organisations to familiarise themselves with the culture of voluntary blood donations. Mrs. Kolawole added that the initiative would enhance the total well being of the voluntary donors.
“It will improve the Red Cross present performance in the area of saving lives through voluntary blood donation.”
