In a powerful display of Pan-African solidarity and civic responsibility, Lagos joined other African nations on Saturday to commemorate Red Saturday, a continental blood donation drive aimed at boosting safe blood availability across the region. The event, coordinated by the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS) in collaboration with the African Society for Blood Transfusion (AfSBT) and the National Blood Service Agency (NBSA), saw a remarkable turnout of voluntary blood donors across multiple centres, including general hospitals, NGOs, and community locations.
The drive comes at a critical time when voluntary blood donation typically declines across the state due to end-of-year travel and seasonal health challenges. Executive Secretary of LSBTS, Dr. Bodunrin Osikomaiya, emphasized the significance of the initiative, stating, “Red Saturday is a pan-African initiative promoting voluntary non-remunerated blood donation to ensure sustainable access to safe blood. This drive is crucial as it not only boosts blood reserves but also expands the pool of regular voluntary donors, contributing to the safety and adequacy of blood supply in Lagos and Nigeria at large.”
Dr. Osikomaiya explained that blood collected during the drive would help stabilize Lagos’ supply for at least 35 days, meeting the surge in medical needs expected throughout December. “The initiative underscores the shared responsibility among African countries to address shortages, improve access to safe blood, and promote voluntary non-remunerated donations, which remain the safest source of blood,” she added.
The event was marked by enthusiasm and commitment from residents, with voluntary donors turning out in impressive numbers. At the Gbagada General Hospital blood donation centre, Oladayo Kehinde Popoola, an educator, described his donation as part of his contribution to saving lives. “You don’t know whose life you might be saving. It could be a friend, a neighbour, or even a relative,” he said, urging others to join the cause.
Similarly, Mr. Norbert Chidi Obata, a businessman, emphasized the importance of blood donation, especially in a country where shortages often lead to preventable deaths. “What we are doing today will help others survive emergencies,” he said, calling for nationwide participation in future drives.
In Omologede Estate, one of the designated community centres, residents turned out in support of the initiative. Mr. Wasiu Ogunwoolu, Chairman of the CDA, shared his experience, having donated blood four times. “Each donation can save up to three lives, particularly in accident cases or childbirth complications,” he said, encouraging others to participate.
Mrs. Samiat Ogundairo, a resident who donated blood, expressed her satisfaction, noting that the screening process allowed her to understand her health status better. “Blood donation not only saves lives but also benefits donors by helping them monitor key health indicators,” she said, urging Lagosians to participate in future drives.
The success of Red Saturday in Lagos reflects the state’s commitment to improving its healthcare system and ensuring the availability of safe blood for patients in need. The LSBTS teams across the state reported steady streams of donors, praising the public’s response and the efforts of health workers and volunteers.
As Lagos joins the rest of Africa in marking this inaugural continental event, organizers say the momentum from Red Saturday will feed into long-term efforts to expand the state’s voluntary blood donor base. The hope is to reduce dependency on family replacement donations and ensure steady availability of safe blood across health facilities.
Dr. Osikomaiya concluded, “One donation can save multiple lives, and today, Lagos showed up for Africa. We commend Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his support and encourage all residents to continue embracing voluntary blood donation as a civic duty and lifesaving act.”
The Red Saturday blood donation drive has set a new benchmark for healthcare initiatives in Lagos and across Nigeria, demonstrating the power of collective action in addressing critical healthcare challenges. As the continent comes together to ensure safe blood for all, Lagos has shown that with commitment and solidarity, we can make a difference, one donation at a time.
