The management of General Hospital Badagry has made a passionate appeal to residents of the community and surrounding areas to cultivate a consistent habit of voluntary blood donation. This call aims to bridge the gap between high patient demand and the current low supply, ensuring that critical, life-saving blood is readily available during emergencies to prevent avoidable deaths.
The appeal was made on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, during a fresh blood donation drive organized by the hospital’s management. The exercise was held in partnership with the Lagos Blood Donation Drive Initiative and supervised by the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS), drawing a significant turnout despite adverse weather conditions.
The Critical Need for Voluntary Donors
Speaking at the event, the Medical Director and CEO of General Hospital Badagry, Dr. Oluseyi Adesola, emphasized that blood is a unique medical resource that cannot be manufactured or purchased commercially. He clarified that any fees associated with blood transfusion are strictly for safety screening, not for the blood itself.
“I am very glad about this initiative, and my happiness is that I want this to continue,” Dr. Adesola stated. “Voluntary blood donation from members of the community is a healthy way to sustain the availability of needed blood to patients who need blood to survive different conditions.”
Supporting this call, Mr. John Gandonu, the Supervisor for Health who represented the Executive Chairman of Olorunda Local Council Development Area (LCDA), expressed his excitement at the community’s response. He urged even more residents to show empathy and routinely step forward to support the healthcare facility for the collective safety of society.
Addressing the Deficit in Lagos State
The Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service, represented by the Head of the Health Education Department, Mrs. Tope Balogun, highlighted the stark reality of blood supply in the region. She revealed that the demand for blood across Lagos State remains incredibly high while the supply continues to lag behind.
Mrs. Balogun reassured the public that donating blood is a safe, health-boosting practice for the donor that ultimately strengthens the community’s disaster preparedness. She guided participants through the organized donation workflow, which seamlessly transitioned donors from a waiting area to registration, medical screening, blood collection, and final post-counselling for first-time responders.
Overcoming Obstacles to Save Lives
Despite a heavy downpour, the exercise recorded remarkable success. The Coordinator of the Lagos Blood Donation Drive 2.0, Mr. Joseph Hunye, extended his gratitude to the hospital management and the state transfusion service for their unwavering cooperation in executing the drive.
Mr. Hunye confirmed that over 120 donors were successfully screened and deemed fit to donate blood during the drive. In appreciation of their selfless, life-saving gestures, the organizers distributed palliatives to all successful donors, marking a successful milestone in the state’s ongoing public health campaign.
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