The Programme Director, Timilehin Leukemia Foundation (TLF), Mrs Oluwadamilola, Oyedunle on Wednesday said that Lagos State needed about 10 per cent of its population as blood donors to help the state achieved adequate blood in the banks.
Oyedunle made the comment in an interview with on the sidelines of the Valentine’s Day Blood Donation Drive held at Textile Labour House Acme Road Ogba.
She said that the state would be able to attained the needed blood optimization in the banks if more people were encouraged to donate blood.
“Lagos has yet to attain a minimum 10 per cent of its citizens for blood donations. For a densly populated state like Lagos State there is need for adequate blood in the banks.
“The goal is to have blood banks in each of the Local Government in Lagos State, a situation that five to ten people will walk into health facilities to donate blood, this is the pursuit of our organisation as stakeholders.
“Having the 10 per cent Lagosians as blood donors is achievable with the efforts of the state government sensitising the public on the need of blood donation and how critical is the exercise is in saving lives.
“We are looking forward to a point where patients can get into any facility around Lagos and get their need for blood with the amazing thing the Lagos State government is doing now,” Oyedunle said.
The Programme Director also said that the TLF as organisation had been able to save many lives through the various intervention programmes which had been rewarding.
“One of the things we find joy in is saving lives through encouraging voluntary blood donation, this is more paramount and noble than making money.
“What we do at TLF is not gratifying, but is fulfilling, everyone that come across the organisation regardless of status have good stories to tell about the organisation.
“Now we are trying to get more sponsors for our programmes, we need more corporate sponsors to help the health sector as their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
“The health sector is so critical that we need more hands on the deck to rescue it from failing,” Oyedunle said.
The convener of the Valentine’s Day Blood Donation Drive, Mrs Janet Oyedele described the exercise as fruitful which would go a long way in saving the lives of the patients in need of blood.
“I thank all the donors for their efforts, this is one of a nobel activities we need in the society, the act of saving lives which does not require any hardship,” she said.
The Valentine’s Day Blood Donation Drive was supported by Fidson Pharmaceutical Ltd and Lagos State Blood Transfusion department.
