The Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service has commenced the deployment of its newly procured bloodmobile vehicle to public and corporate organizations in continuation of the voluntary blood donation drives embarked on earlier in the month.
The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS), Dr. Bodunrin Osikomaiya made this known at the Donor Drive, Ikoyi where the bloodmobile was recently deployed.
Dr. Osikomaiya who described the mobile blood donation vehicle is equipped with everything necessary for a blood donation procedure, explained that the procurement of the mobile blood donation center was approved by the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu with the hope to aid blood donor drives and ease the conduct of community blood donation outreach across Lagos.
“Mr. Governor magnanimously approved the procurement of this specialized vehicle to help meeting the State blood demand and ensure adequate supply of safe blood for transfusion in Lagos”.
Dr. Osikomaiya explained that the bloodmobile which was designed, configured and assembled out of a new coaster bus by a local engineer based in Lagos, has some remarkable features typical of a standard blood donation center including; compartments for registration and blood donor procedure, post donation and relaxation spot, blood storage compartment, two electrical donor chairs and an inbuilt air conditioner.
“We sincerely appreciate Mr. Governor for this gift and we promise to reciprocate by increasing our donor drives, recruiting more voluntary blood donors and ensuring that only safe bloods is collected and transfused in our dear State”
The Executive Secretary has tasked citizens to donate blood voluntarily in other to ensure availability of safe blood and blood products for transfusion in health facilities across the State.
Emphasizing the huge demand for blood and the need for voluntary blood donation, Dr. Osikomaiya disclosed that about thirty seven percent of the population are eligible and clinically fit to donate blood, stressing that someone is always in need of blood every two seconds.
“Voluntary blood donors are heroes who deserve to be celebrated every day because the gift they give is the gift of Life. We encourage citizens to join this league of life savers by donating voluntarily.
Osikomaiya stated that the benefits of donating blood are numerous.
She said: “Blood donation helps to stimulate production of more blood thus maintaining good health, voluntary blood donors have access to blood without demand for replacement from LBSTS blood banks.
“Your blood is tested for hemoglobin, packed cell volume (blood level), viral diseases, blood group, Rhesus factor and genotype. It may uncover potential health problems such as elevated blood levels and low blood levels.
She enjoined citizens who are in good health and between the ages of eighteen and sixty-five ev years to imbibe the culture of voluntary blood donation and donate blood at least once every three months.
While noting that the bloodmobile will be going round the State especially to the public places on donor drives, the Executive Secretary said that citizens can also work into any of LSBTS dedicated voluntary blood donation centers at General Hospital Lagos and General Hospital Gbagada or the voluntary blood donation center at the Accident and Emergency Center, located at the old Toll Gate and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja to donate blood.
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