Lagos begins 2025 voluntary blood donation awareness month campaign

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The Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS) has kicked off the 2025 Voluntary Blood Donation Awareness Month with a heartfelt call for residents to embrace voluntary blood donation as a life-saving act.

Themed “Blood, A Precious Gift: Give to Save Lives,” the month-long campaign, aimed at addressing the ongoing shortage of safe blood in the state, was launched at the Lagos State Government Secretariat, Alausa-Ikeja.

The event included the distribution of educational leaflets, the placement of call-to-action stickers on vehicles, advocacy visits to key stakeholders, and community engagement activities at parks, garages, and markets around the Ikeja Under Bridge axis, as well as the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) community.

Speaking, Bodunrin Osikomaiya, Executive Secretary of LSBTS, emphasised the vital importance of voluntary blood donation.”Blood is a precious and irreplaceable resource that cannot be manufactured.

Every day, countless lives depend on the generosity of voluntary, non-remunerated donors. Unfortunately, cultural myths and limited awareness have hindered the growth of this life-saving culture in Lagos State,” she said.

Osikomaiya also shed light on the alarming blood reserve levels in Lagos, urging the public to take action.

“Currently, our blood reserves are critically low, posing a severe risk to public health. To address this challenge, we have implemented strict safety protocols to ensure a safe and rewarding experience for donors and recipients alike,” she added.

The launch in Ikeja marks the beginning of a series of community outreach initiatives that will span the entire month, designed to raise awareness and mobilize Lagosians to donate blood voluntarily.

“We are calling on individuals, corporate organizations, faith-based groups, and community leaders to join this noble cause. Blood donation is not just a medical necessity; it is an act of humanity and kindness,” Osikomaiya urged.

The LSBTS will also engage in media campaigns, community sensitization drives, and collaborations with stakeholders throughout the month.

“Our goal is to make blood donation a civic duty ingrained in our culture. One pint of blood can save up to three lives. Let us give this precious gift and ensure no one in Lagos suffers due to a lack of safe blood,” she explained.

She also expressed her gratitude to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Ministry of Health, and other partners for their continued support.

Oluwatoni Adeyemi, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Health, also spoke about the importance of the campaign.

She highlighted the government’s strategy to dispel myths and misconceptions surrounding blood donation through outreach in markets, offices, and motor parks.

Wuraola Makinde, Director of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), stressed the crucial role of blood donation in emergencies.

Sharing an example from a past crisis, Mrs Makinde recalled the Lagos train-bus collision in 2023 and how the availability of blood donations saved many lives.

Jonathan Aghoro, a volunteer with the Nigerian Red Cross Society, made a passionate appeal to address the cultural and societal myths surrounding blood donation.

With the campaign gaining momentum, Aghoro expressed optimism for greater public participation in future drives.

Throughout the awareness month, the LSBTS will continue its activities across strategic locations in Lagos, including LASUTH, Gbagada General Hospital, and all General Hospitals in the state.

This year’s campaign sets the stage for building a sustainable voluntary blood donation culture in Lagos, ensuring that no life is lost due to the lack of safe blood.

Residents are encouraged to visit designated donation centres and give the gift of life.