The Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS) has joined other African countries to commemorate the maiden Red Saturday, a continent-wide blood donation drive aimed at boosting the availability of safe blood across the region.
The exercise took place simultaneously across General Hospitals, partner NGOs and designated community centres, attracting residents who turned out in response to the call to save lives.
The Executive Secretary of LSBTS, Dr. Bodunrin Osikomaiya, who monitored the initiative at General Hospital Ifako-Ijaiye, Gbagada General Hospital and the LSBTS Headquarters Centre, described Red Saturday as “a pan-African initiative promoting voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation to ensure sustainable access to safe blood.”
Dr. Osikomaiya explained that the drive was coordinated by the African Society for Blood Transfusion (AfSBT) and the National Blood Service Agency (NBSA), with Lagos playing a leading role through its state service, general hospitals, teaching hospitals and private facilities. She noted that the blood collected would help stabilize Lagos’ supply for at least 35 days—enough to meet the anticipated rise in medical needs throughout December.
At the Lagos Island centre, the Head of Donor Recruitment at LSBTS, Mrs. Olayinka Animashaun, emphasized that Lagos was not only participating but coordinating extensive mobilization across all general hospitals, maternity centres and partner locations to help achieve the national target of 10,000 units set by the NBSA. She noted that regular voluntary donation remains the safest source of blood and is essential for addressing shortages and improving access to safe blood across Africa.
A voluntary donor at the Gbagada General Hospital centre, Mr. Norbert Chidi Obata, said he joined the exercise because he understands the importance of regular blood donation, especially in countries where shortages can lead to avoidable loss of lives. He encouraged residents to participate widely, stressing the need for citizens to be their “brother’s keeper” during emergencies.
Obata added that although he had never personally required blood, he had witnessed situations where patients died because of unavailability. “What we are doing today will help others survive emergencies,” he said, calling for nationwide participation in subsequent editions.
At Omologede Estate, one of the designated community centres, the Chairman of the CDA, Mr. Wasiu Ogunwoolu, recounted how donating blood in the past improved his own health and helped relieve symptoms related to an eye condition. He described the Red Saturday initiative as timely and commended the Lagos State Government for making community-level participation possible.
Across the state, LSBTS teams reported that the strong turnout underscored the value of strategic public sensitization, community partnerships and multi-centre coordination in meeting Lagos’ blood needs. Donors also praised the courteous service provided by staff at the general hospitals and donation centres.
