Lagos State Gets Record Blood Donations in Six Months

Monday, 17 November 2014

Lagos State Gets Record Blood Donations in Six Months

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

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 from voluntary blood donors.

She said that meeting the 2020 World Health Organisation 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.

Source: Punch