6th September, 2023
The Lagos State Government has affirmed its capability to provide prompt and secure access to blood and blood-related products in times of emergencies and disasters within the state.
Dr. Bodunrin Osikomaiya, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS), made this declaration in Gbagada.
She emphasised that the LSBTS, under the State Government’s auspices, has cultivated the capacity to supply safe blood for emergency situations and disasters.
Speaking during the LSBTS quarterly management review meeting at the agency’s headquarters located within the premises of the Gbagada General Hospital, Osikomaiya elucidated that the State Blood Transfusion Service holds the mandate to formulate an emergency plan and coordinate the efforts of both public and private blood banks, blood donation centres, and third-party logistics companies during crises and emergencies.
She further elaborated that Lagos boasts 28 public blood banks, 126 private blood banks, an extensive network of blood donation centres, and a robust transportation and logistics infrastructure involving ambulances, motorcycles, and third-party blood logistics companies, all under the LSBTS’s regulatory oversight.
This framework facilitates the efficient movement of blood from blood banks to hospitals, especially in times of disaster, ensuring timely transfusions where needed.
Osikomaiya elucidated, “The Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service was established with a mandate to provide safe blood through the recruitment of voluntary blood donors, screening of every unit of blood for transfusion-transmissible infection, efficient processing of blood, and appropriate clinical use of blood for all who require it.”
She affirmed that the LSBTS has been progressively increasing the number of voluntary blood donors at the grassroots level while ensuring the safety of every unit of blood intended for transfusion.
Furthermore, Osikomaiya revealed that the agency has developed protocols for maintaining a constant stock of blood for emergencies and disasters, including Blood Group O Rhesus negative blood, which does not require cross-matching before transfusion, aligning with international standards for Emergency Blood Release.
“We also have a database of voluntary blood donors and a rare blood donor register used to recruit voluntary blood donors when more blood than is available is required or to replenish the already used blood in preparation for other emergencies.”
The Executive Secretary underlined the pool of skilled health workers, including medical doctors, scientists, technicians, phlebotomists, and blood donor organisers, who undergo regular training and participate in simulation exercises and drills related to emergency and disaster preparedness. These professionals can be called upon to provide critical support during emergencies.
Osikomaiya acknowledged the invaluable support of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, mentioning the establishment of standardised communication systems with Closed User Groups (CUGs) in LSBTS and public blood banks, as well as screening and certification centres. She also highlighted effective communication channels with private blood banks and regional and federal blood banks.
Furthermore, she emphasised that Lagos State is the sole state with a policy for automation in screening blood for transfusion-transmissible infections, such as HIV I/II, Hepatitis B and C, and Syphilis.
Recently, Governor Sanwo-Olu sanctioned the screening and certification of blood using fully automated systems to ensure the highest quality of safe blood within a short timeframe.
Addressing specific incidents, including the Ita-faaji and BRT bus-train collision accidents, Osikomaiya noted that the LSBTS had successfully implemented emergency preparedness plans during these disasters.
She highlighted that the outcomes of these accidents, which involved coordinated blood transfusion services by LSBTS, received commendations from patients, the management team, and the citizens of Lagos State. Importantly, no lives were lost due to the unavailability of safe blood.
Contrary to misleading information circulating in some quarters about blood availability during emergencies, Osikomaiya clarified that the LSBTS has collected over 82,000 units of blood through its licenced private and public blood banks as of August 2023, reflecting a 17% increase compared to the previous year