Lagos records 1,888 units of voluntary blood donation from January to June 2014

Chairman, Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee (LSBTC), Dr Adetoun Agbe-Davies has revealed that the state has recorded a rise in voluntary blood donation from 474 units in 2004 to 1,888 between January and June this year.

``From 474 units of blood from voluntary donors in 2004, we had 4,775 units in 2013 and from January to June 14, 2014, we had 1,888 units.

``We hope that more people will take interest in helping others to save their lives, '' Agbe-Davies tdisclosed at the 2014 annual health public screening on Monday in Mushin, Lagos.

The screening was organised by the Muslim Congress of Mushin Local Government Area.

She urged medical practitioners to ensure that 100 per cent of all blood for transfusion come voluntary blood donors.

She said that meeting the 2020 World Health Organisation (WHO) goal of 100 per cent of all blood for transfusion coming from voluntary donors would address issues of touting for blood donation.

According to her, the WHO's set goal will also address the demand for family replacement of blood through family donation for mothers at ante-natal booking.

``I urge everyone to imbibe the spirit of voluntary blood donation and also to become repeat donors; this will make safe blood available.

``There is a need to create awareness on the vital role of voluntary blood donation to save lives and reduce deaths.

``This is very important because records have shown that quite a number of deaths are related to loss of blood.

``We therefore, cannot over emphasise the need to ensure availability of blood in our blood banks where patients who require blood transfusion can be readily supplied.

``We encourage more voluntary blood donors to join others who give their blood willingly and freely without knowing the recipients,’’ she added.

The chairman said that many Lagosians had been responding positively to the call to donate blood voluntarily to save lives.

``The number of voluntary blood donors has been increasing regularly since the inception of Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee.

``All these have impacted positively on the donors resulting in an increase in repeat voluntary donations,’’ Agbe-Davies said.

Speaking, the Chairman of The Muslim Congress (TMC), Mr Adebayo  Abdulwahab, explained that the free public health programme was to keep the populace alive and healthy.

He added that the programme was aimed at creating awareness about diseases, encourage healthy lifestyle and regular exercises among the populace.