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Lagos Urges Citizens To Donate Blood, Deploys ‘Bloodmobile’ For Donor Drive
Lagos urges citizens to donate blood voluntary, deploys, ‘Bloodmobile’ for donor drive across the State.
The locally fabricated ‘Bloodmobile’ has some remarkable features typical of a standard blood donation centre.
These includes compartments for registration and blood donor procedure, and post-donation and relaxation spot.
Other features on the ‘Bloodmobile’ include blood storage compartment, two electrical donor chairs and an inbuilt air conditioner.
The Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service has commenced the deployment of its newly procured ‘Bloodmobile’ to the public and corporate organisations in continuation of the voluntary blood donation drive started earlier this month.
The locally fabricated ‘Bloodmobile’ has some remarkable features typical of a standard blood donation centre, including compartments for registration and blood donor procedure.
Other features on the ‘Bloodmobile’ include post-donation and relaxation spot, blood storage compartment, two electrical donor chairs and an inbuilt air conditioner.
Speaking at a donor drive held at the headquarters of Ibile Oil and Gas, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS), Dr. Bodunrin Osikomaiya, explained that the mobile blood donation vehicle will aid the blood donor drive across Lagos.
She said :
“Mr. Governor magnanimously approved the procurement of this specialised vehicle to help in our quest of meeting the State’s blood demand and ensure adequate supply of safe blood for transfusion in Lagos”.
The Executive Secretary tasked healthy residents to support the initiative by donating blood voluntarily to ensure the availability of safe blood and blood products for transfusion in health facilities across the State.
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Osikomaiya disclosed that about 37% of the population are eligible and clinically fit to donate blood, stressing that someone is always in need of blood every two seconds.
She noted that one pint of donated blood can save three lives, adding that voluntary blood donors have access to blood without the demand for replacement from LBSTS blood banks.
“Voluntary blood donors are heroes who deserve to be celebrated every day because the gift they give is the gift of Life. We encourage citizens to join this league of lifesavers by donating voluntarily”, she said.
Osikomaiya explained the process further saying :
“Your blood is tested for haemoglobin, packed cell volume (blood level), viral diseases, blood group, Rhesus factor and genotype. It may uncover potential health problems such as elevated blood levels and low blood levels.
It also helps to maintain iron stores at healthy levels which are linked to low cancer risk and give an opportunity to blood donors to have their clinical vitals done including blood pressure, pulse rate, weight and height”.
She enjoined citizens who are in good general health and between the ages of 18 and 65 years to imbibe the culture of voluntary blood donation at least once every three months.
Bloodmobile
While noting that the ‘Bloodmobile’ will be going around the State, especially to public places on donor drives, the Executive Secretary stated that citizens can also walk into any of LSBTS dedicated voluntary blood donation centres at General Hospital Lagos and General Hospital Gbagada.
The Accident and Emergency Centre, located at the old Toll Gate and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja is also a LSBTS dedicated voluntary blood donation centre.
