Lagos Community head calls on residents to voluntarily donate blood
Akin Olayemi
Following the disclosure by the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS), Dr. Bodunrin Osikomaiya that Lagos State would require over 260,000 units of blood to meet the growing blood demand by residents for transfusion, a Lagos community head, High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye has urged residents in his community and indeed in the State to voluntarily donate blood to safe lives.
Kalejaiye who gave the charge at the weekend noted that human life are sacred and too precious to be wasted away therefore it should be protected, cherished and preserved.
He said, “Many of the death recorded at various health facilities in the State most of whom are due to unavailability of blood for transfusion are avoidable death. If only, healthy ones among the populace could be humane enough to donate blood, life would be more meaningful.
Although the economy is not too palatable and many homes are groaning under the yoke of poverty, but we should see this call as a call to serve humanity.”
Speaking on the health benefits of blood donation, he said, “Apart from the rewards for saving the lives of fellow human beings from our creator, there are many health benefits of blood donation. A blood donor enjoys good health and he/she is free from terminal illnesses.”
He stated further “Donating blood to those in need also helps in reducing the risk of damage to liver, reduces obesity and increases cardiovascular health.”
While appealing to the people that sell their blood at hospitals to desist from doing so, he said, “the economy is really biting hard but I want to appeal to some people that loiter various health facilities around the State selling their blood to seek other legitimate means of survival.
Blood is a gift to all His creatures for our survival, why should some people be selling it to earn a living? I am therefore appealing to the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service to ensure that blood donated by donors are adequately screened and that only safe blood is available for transfusion in the State.
He therefore appealed to residents in his community to donate blood voluntarily to meet the growing demand for safe blood for transfusion in the all health facilities in Lagos State.
Views: 0
