Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service Pays Courtesy Call to LASUTH to Mark Annual Voluntary Blood Donor Awareness Month

The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS), Dr. Abodunrin Osikomaiya, led a team on a courtesy visit to the management of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. 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 their warm reception and support of blood donation initiatives. She emphasized the critical importance of blood, particularly for specialized 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.

In his response, the Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, Professor Adetokunbo O. Fabamwo, warmly welcomed the LSBTS team and congratulated them on the success of their awareness month. Prof. Fabamwo reaffirmed LASUTH’s dedication to nurturing replacement donors, emphasizing 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.

The courtesy visit was attended by members of the top management committee of LASUTH, including Director Clinical Service and Training, Prof. Adebowale O. Adekoya; Director Hospital Management and Human Resources, Mr. Babatunde Jelili Oyekan; Director of Nursing Services Mrs. Adebola Aina, Deputy Director of Nursing Services, Mrs. Temitope Sikaye, Deputy Director Medical Advisory Committee, Clinical Services I, Dr. Ayodele Bamidele; Deputy Director Medical Advisory Committee, Research & Training I, Dr. Lilian Enone; Deputy Director Medical Advisory Committee, Research & Training II, Dr. Omolola Lamina; Mrs. Adeola Adegbite, Director, Laboratory Services and Head of the LASUTH Blood Unit, Mrs Folashade Olupitan.

Representatives from various organizations that collaborate with the Lagos State Blood Bank Transfusion through different blood donation initiatives, such as the Red Cross Society of Nigeria (Lagos Division), Ahmadiyya Youth Group, One Health Life Savers, and Timileyin Non-Governmental Organization (focused on leukemia advocacy), were also present.



Signed:
LASUTH Management