June 14, (THEWILL)- VFD Group has joined the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee and Haima Health Initiative to advocate for blood donation to mark this year’s World Blood Donor Day.
This follows calls by the Lagos State Government for voluntary blood donors to support blood banks in the state.
THEWILL recalls that Lagos Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, had on June 5, urged more citizens to embrace voluntary blood donation to shore up the state’s blood bank.
With only 130,000 donors for a population of over 16 million, Lagos faces a significant shortfall, leaving many patients without access to essential blood transfusions.
Professor Abayomi emphasised that the current voluntary donor rate is insufficient, leading to potential shortages in hospitals.
As part of the event to commemorate World Blood Donor Day on 14th June 2024, the company organised a blood drive in Lagos State.
This year’s World Blood Donor Day, themed “20 years of celebrating giving: thank you blood donors!”, marks two decades of raising awareness about the importance of voluntary blood donation to the health sector.
On the 11th of June 2024, VFD Group employees and executives demonstrated their commitment by donating blood to be used by those in need.
This initiative not only ensured the provision of safe blood through voluntary contributions but also involved meticulous screening, efficient counselling, and robust regulatory measures coordinated by the Haima Health Initiative.
The donation drive aimed to appreciate existing donors, raise awareness, educate employees on the impact of their contributions, dispel myths, and combat the decline in blood donations.
According to VDF Group, “The blood donation rate in Lagos State has seen a disheartening drop of over 55% in January 2024, attributed to factors such as seasonal respiratory illnesses intensified by harsh harmattan weather, and high rates of postpartum haemorrhage and traffic accident-related bleeding. These realities underline the critical need for regular voluntary blood donors.
“Additionally, individuals with Haemochromatosis, a hereditary condition causing excess blood due to iron overload, are encouraged to donate blood at intervals. Countries must invest in a structured system for banking donated blood, ensuring its safety and preservation.
“To facilitate blood donation, various centres are available, including hospitals, health centres, blood banks and other locations easily found online. By donating blood, individuals contribute to keeping the world pulsating with life-saving resources.
“As part of our commitment to our Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), we champion initiatives that promote good health and overall wellness. We celebrate our employees, blood donors worldwide, and communities who tirelessly contribute to keeping the world pulsating through their donations. Our partnership with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee and Haima Health Initiative underscores our dedication to making a meaningful impact in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
“Moving forward, we will continue to support every act of kindness that aligns with our mission to promote good health and overall wellness for a sustainable future for all”, it added.
