The Lagos State Government has renewed its commitment to ensuring a safe, adequate, and sustainable blood supply, with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS) hosting a high-profile Voluntary Blood Donation Awareness and One-to-One Sensitisation Campaign on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at the Lagos State Government Secretariat in Alausa-Ikeja.
The event, themed “Voluntary Donors, Sustainable Blood: Securing Lagos State’s Blood Supply”, formed part of activities marking LSBTS Blood Awareness Month and highlighted the state’s ongoing efforts to promote voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation among residents.
Declaring the campaign open, Commissioner for Health Prof. Akin Abayomi revealed that Lagos, with an estimated population of about 30 million, requires between 200,000 and 250,000 units of blood annually to meet healthcare needs. He commended Lagosians who have donated voluntarily, noting that the state recorded approximately 141,000 units in the last cycle about 70% of the target.
Prof. Abayomi described blood as a “liquid organ” and stressed that blood transfusion is comparable to organ transplantation, requiring strict scientific protocols, rigorous screening, and precise donor-recipient matching to prevent complications and infections. He urged eligible residents, especially young people, to make blood donation a regular habit, assuring that it poses no health risk to healthy donors.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, emphasised that blood demand is constant driven by emergencies like childbirth complications, road accidents, surgeries, and other critical conditions. She highlighted the Sanwo-Olu administration’s modernisation of blood transfusion services through digitisation, improved tracking, and strengthened safety protocols.
Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, commended LSBTS and voluntary donors, describing blood as “life” and a critical resource for effective healthcare. She noted spikes in demand during festive periods due to increased mobility and accidents, but stressed the need for continuous donation year-round.
Executive Secretary of LSBTS, Dr. Bodunrin Osikomaiya, decried persistent myths discouraging donation and announced intensified one-on-one sensitisation to address individual concerns, while opening facilities to the public for transparency.
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Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health, Dr. Oluwatoni Adeyemi, aligned the campaign with global advocacy and encouraged residents to use digital platforms for easy access to donation information.
Donors Mohammed Asalejo (since 2022) and Alhaji Oladele Asalejo (over 15 years) shared positive experiences, noting health benefits and the joy of saving lives.
The event featured awareness talks, voluntary blood donation, extensive sensitisation, and information sticker distribution on vehicles, with strong participation from Ministry of Health officials and LSBTS staff.
By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
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