The KB Klub, in partnership with the Oba Elegushi Foundation, held the second edition of its blood donation campaign on Friday.
The aim was to raise awareness about the urgent need for safe and voluntary blood donations in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
During the event in Lagos, Sheriffdeen Oloyode, the Team Leader of KB Klub, said the project was created to help solve the problem of blood shortages in Nigeria. These shortages often affect patients with serious health conditions.
KB Klub is a group of medical students from the College of Medicine, University of Lagos. They focus on helping people through social and charitable activities.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the blood donation campaign was named “Your Power to Gift Life 2.0.” Their target was to collect 3,000 pints of blood.
Oloyode said the event was happening in six different places across Lagos at the same time. Each location aimed to collect at least 500 pints of blood.
Other donation centers included Surulere at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Ikorodu General Hospital, UNILAG Indoor Sports Centre, Jara Mall in Ikeja, and Tinubu Square on Lagos Island.
He said that, according to the World Health Organization, Nigeria needs about 1.8 million units of blood every year. However, only less than 500 units come from voluntary donors.The main goal of the project is to save lives, especially those of people with conditions like sickle cell disease, anemia, or those who need blood after accidents or surgery.
He also said many women die during childbirth because they don’t have access to enough blood. Blood donations can help prevent such deaths.
Oloyode encouraged Nigerians to donate blood and help save lives.He added that the project works with government bodies like the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.
The collected blood will be sent to general hospitals in six local government areas across Lagos.
Oba Saheed Elegushi, the traditional ruler of Ikate/Elegushi, spoke about the benefits of donating blood. He said it’s good for both the donor and the person receiving it.
He mentioned that giving blood can help the body stay healthy and make the donor feel good, while also saving lives.
Oba Elegushi noted that many people are afraid to donate blood because they wrongly believe they don’t have enough blood in their bodies.
He called on the government and health authorities to do more to educate people about the importance of blood donation.
He stressed the need to raise awareness and share correct information about donating blood.
Dr. Bodunrin Osikomaiya, the Secretary of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service, also spoke about the importance of ongoing awareness campaigns.
She said her team has been visiting communities to talk about who needs blood, why it’s needed, and how it’s collected.
Dr. Osikomaiya noted that many people still believe myths and wrong information about blood donation. Some of these beliefs come from bad experiences in the past.
She explained that after blood is donated, it goes to state centers and hospitals to be tested and prepared.
Once the blood is tested and free from diseases, it is sent to hospitals like the Lagos State Accident and Emergency center.
She said the Lagos State Government provides free access to blood for poor people and those with sickle cell disease through public blood banks.
She added that the donated blood would likely be used within a week and emphasized the need for more donations.
She thanked the KB Klub and other partners for their efforts and encouraged more organizations to do the same.
Finally, Nigerian actress and producer Yvonne Jegede praised the effort. She said donating blood is a selfless act and called for more awareness about voluntary blood donation in Nigeria.
