Voluntary Blood Donor Awareness Month: LSBTS Visits LASUTH

The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS), Dr. Abodunrin Osikomaiya, recently paid a courtesy visit to the management of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

The visit was part of activities to commemorate the Annual Voluntary Blood Donor Awareness Month, themed: “Blood: The Precious Gift”, a celebration marking the third anniversary of the awareness campaign.

During the visit, Dr. Osikomaiya expressed her profound appreciation to the LASUTH management for the warm reception and support of blood donation initiatives. She emphasised the critical importance of blood, particularly for specialised surgeries, noting that it remains an irreplaceable resource as it can only be produced within the human body.

Dr. Osikomaiya urged LASUTH to focus not only on recruiting voluntary blood donors but also on engaging replacement donors and transitioning them into regular voluntary donors. She stressed the need to recognize and value replacement donors, particularly in Africa, where their role can significantly impact the blood supply chain. She commended LASUTH’s efforts in providing logistical support and welfare packages for its blood bank, including ensuring blood collection operations during weekends.

The Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, Professor Adetokunbo O. Fabamwo, reaffirmed LASUTH’s dedication to nurturing replacement donors, emphasising the hospital’s commitment to converting them into regular voluntary donors through care and attention.

He highlighted the pivotal role of LASUTH’s management through the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department in addressing the state’s blood donation crisis, particularly by encouraging donations in critical areas, as part of the hospital’s goals for 2025.

Present during the courtesy visit were the management staff of LASUTH and representatives from various organisations that collaborate with the Lagos State Blood Bank Transfusion through different blood donation initiatives.