LAGOS -The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State Branch, on Monday called for aggressive enlightenment of the public on the taboos associated with blood donation.
The NMA Chairman, Dr Tope Ojo, made the call at a programme commemorating the World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) in Lagos with the theme: “Thank You for Saving My Life.’’
It was organised by the association in conjunction with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee in Lagos.
“We have to enlighten more people in order to allay their fears about the taboos surrounding blood donation.
“Instead, there are many benefits surrounding blood donation including detection of donors’ aliments during screening.
“WBDD is an opportunity for more people to volunteer to donate blood and also for them to know their health status.
“We should not wait for the WBDD to donate blood, but try to make it a habit to donate blood,” he said.
The chairman said that blood banks were short of blood and urged people to cultivate the habit of donating for the needy.
Also speaking, a member of the committee, Mr Solomon Eka, said that if 10 per cent of people in Lagos could donate blood, more lives would be saved.
Eka said that presently, most hospitals depend on replacement which was not supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“WHO is not actually in support of blood replacement which is like forcing people to donate.
“WHO said that by the Year 2020, most countries should be dependent on voluntary blood donation.
“So, that is why we are campaigning, because the more information people get, the more they will be willing to donate blood,” he said.
Eka said a person could donate every three months, adding that the blood donated would be replaced within two weeks.
He said research had shown that blood donation would reduce chances of getting cancer, diabetes and heart attack.
“These are benefits of donating blood on regular basis and people should be made to understand its importance through campaigns,” he said.
Two blood donors at the event expressed gratitude at the opportunity given them to donate blood.
A 25-year-old man, Mr Damilola Olabode, said: “This is my first time of donating blood, and I feel it is necessary because it will save lives.
“My uncle, who is a doctor, educated me on the importance and invited me to donate and I will continue to donate,” he said.
Another donor, Mr Oyewole Kehinde, urged the people to donate blood regularly.
The 35-year-old Kehinde, who is a regular blood donor, said that he had had series of lectures on the importance of blood donation.
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“I feel very healthy each time I donate blood and I see it as part of my faith in God.
“I know it helps to reduce infection and likely diseases such as cancer and diabetes.
“I want to use this opportunity to advise more Nigerians to donate blood for the sake of saving lives and for their own health too,” he said. (NAN)
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