Lagos Seeks 200,000 Units Of Blood From Voluntary Donors
Lagos Targets Significant Increase in Blood Donations
Lagos State Government is committed to increasing the number of donated blood units from its current count of over 115,000 to 200,000, aiming to meet the annual blood requirements of the state and the recommended estimate by the World Health Organization (WHO). Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, the Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Ministry of Health, made this announcement while reviewing the planned activities organized by the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS) in commemoration of the 2023 World Blood Donor Day.
LSBTS Achieves Record Increase in Donated Blood
Dr. Ogboye highlighted the significant increase in donated blood units in Lagos, reaching over 115,000. He further praised the LSBTS for successfully screening 100 percent of all collected blood units in the state. The LSBTS has also made progress in producing blood components, such as Fresh Frozen Plasma, Cryoprecipitates, and Platelet Concentrates. This achievement is possible through the decentralization of blood storage, ensuring easy accessibility.
Advancements in Blood Screening and Transfusion Safety
The Permanent Secretary revealed that the LSBTS has initiated the process of complete automation for screening and certifying blood for transfusion transmissible infections. Additionally, the implementation of the LSBTS Blood Inventory Management System and extended phenotyping of blood group antigens are underway. These measures aim to reduce the incidence of adverse events in blood transfusion, ensuring the highest level of safety for recipients.
Lagos State Commemorates World Blood Donor Day with Special Events
Dr. Biodun Osikomaiya, the Executive Secretary of LSBTS, shared the scheduled activities planned to commemorate the 2023 World Blood Donor Day in Lagos. The Lagos State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with LSBTS, will host a three-day event. This includes the Youth Extravaganza, a tour of LSBTS facilities for Lagos State secondary school students, and a Symposium and Scientific Conference.
The Symposium and Scientific Conference, set to take place on Wednesday, 14th June 2023, will be held at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium in Alausa, Ikeja. Dr. Osikomaiya emphasized the global observance of World Blood Donor Day on the 14th of June each year. The event aims to raise awareness about the crucial need for safe blood and blood products, express gratitude to blood donors for their life-saving contributions, and encourage healthy individuals to become voluntary blood donors.
