* Urges religious organisations, corporate bodies to embrace regular blood donation for emergencies
The Muslim Congress (TMC), Lagos State chapter, has boosted the state’s blood bank with 52 pints of blood following a voluntary blood donation exercise organised as part of its special Muharram 1448 AH Adhkaar in collaboration with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS).
The Welfare Officer of The Congress, Mr. AbdulHafeez Olaiya, disclosed this on Sunday, July 5, shortly after the exercise held at the organisation’s Dawah Centre in Ijesha, Lagos.
Muslim News gathered that the 52 pints were donated by members of the group and its women’s wing, Al Mu’minaat, who voluntarily participated in the exercise in line with the Islamic teachings on the sanctity and preservation of human life.
The donation is expected to strengthen the state’s blood bank and improve the availability of safe blood for emergency and lifesaving medical care.
Mr. Olaiya, who also serves with the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board in Ikorodu, said the initiative was organised to support government efforts to bridge the gap between blood demand and supply while promoting the Islamic value of preserving human life.
He added that the organisation plans to institutionalise the initiative as an annual programme to coincide with World Blood Donor Day, observed every year on June 14, while sustaining regular blood donation outreach campaigns across Lagos to encourage more voluntary donors.
Speaking further, the welfare officer said the exercise aligns with the teachings of Islam on saving lives and serving humanity, adding that The Muslim Congress would continue partnering with relevant government agencies to improve access to safe blood for patients across the state.
“Our goal is to support government, save lives and encourage voluntary blood donation. We want this initiative to become an annual programme in commemoration of World Blood Donor Day while continuing our regular outreach activities so that more people can donate blood and give others a second chance at life,” he said.
LSBTS calls for increased voluntary blood donation in Lagos
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service, Dr. Bodunrin Osikomaiya, called on religious organisations, corporate bodies and members of the public to embrace voluntary blood donation to help Lagos meet its annual blood requirement for emergency and lifesaving medical care.
She said the appeal became necessary because the state currently does not have enough blood to meet demand, noting that Lagos requires at least 200,000 units of blood annually but is able to collect only about 140,000 units, leaving a significant shortfall.
She commended The Muslim Congress for its longstanding partnership with the agency, describing the organisation as one of its reliable partners in promoting voluntary blood donation across the state.
“The Muslim Congress has been partnering with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service for many years. I joined the service in 2019 and the partnership was already in place. We have continued to work with TMC and its various branches to ensure that more voluntary blood is donated in Lagos State, and we sincerely appreciate their support,” she said.
Blood shortage remains major challenge during emergencies
According to her, the shortage of blood remains a major challenge, especially during medical emergencies, making voluntary blood donation an essential public service.
“We do not have enough blood. I will say it over and over again. We do not have enough blood, and the demand is greater than the supply,” she said.
She explained that the World Health Organisation recommends that every country should collect blood from at least one percent of its population annually to meet healthcare needs.
Using Lagos as an example, Dr. Osikomaiya said the state’s estimated population of about 20 million means it requires at least 200,000 units of blood every year, but only about 140,000 units are currently being collected.
“That leaves a huge gap. Many people who need blood during emergencies may not get it because there is simply not enough blood available,” she added.
Outlines rigorous process for ensuring safe blood supply
The Executive Secretary assured residents that every unit of blood collected by the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service undergoes rigorous screening before it is released for use in hospitals.
She explained that the safety process begins with careful selection of donors through medical history, lifestyle assessment and physical examination to ensure they are healthy enough to donate.
According to her, every donor is screened for blood level, blood pressure, pulse rate and body temperature before donation, while every unit collected is tested using World Health Organisation recommended technology to detect infections including Human Immunodeficiency Virus, hepatitis and other transfusion transmissible diseases.
She added that the blood is preserved under strict temperature controlled conditions until it is required by healthcare facilities.
“The safety of blood starts from the donor. We carefully assess every donor before collection, and every unit of blood is thoroughly screened before it is certified safe for patients,” she said.
Says TMC members provide safe blood through healthy living
Dr. Osikomaiya attributed the quality of blood received from members of The Muslim Congress to their commitment to voluntary donation and healthy living.
“TMC has consistently encouraged voluntary blood donation. Voluntary donors are among the safest because they donate willingly, answer screening questions truthfully and generally maintain healthy lifestyles. The blood we receive from them has consistently met safety standards,” she said.
She urged religious bodies, community organisations, educational institutions and corporate organisations to intensify awareness campaigns on voluntary blood donation, stressing that many Nigerians are still unaware of its importance.
The Executive Secretary also encouraged companies to include voluntary blood donation as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives, noting that blood donation remains one of the greatest humanitarian services anyone can render.
“It is not only money that saves lives. You cannot transfuse money, food or gifts into a patient. The only thing that can save someone who urgently needs blood is blood itself. That is why we need more people and organisations to support voluntary blood donation,” she said.
Blood donation is practical way to preserve life, says TMC Wali
Also speaking, the Wali of The Muslim Congress, Lagos State, Mallam Tajudeen Olusesi, commended members of the organisation and its women’s wing, Al Mu’minaat, for participating in the voluntary blood donation exercise, describing their response as a practical demonstration of the Islamic values of compassion, service to humanity and the preservation of life.
He disclosed that The Muslim Congress mobilised leaders from its 121 branches across Lagos State to participate in the exercise, which was organised in collaboration with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service.
“We decided to support the government, support humanity and save lives through this initiative,” Olusesi said, adding, “Blood donation is one of the practical ways of preserving human life, which Islam highly encourages.”
According to him, the exercise was inspired by Islamic teachings on the sanctity of human life and the immense reward for saving lives.
He added that the initiative was designed to complement government efforts to address blood shortages during medical emergencies while encouraging more Nigerians to embrace voluntary blood donation as a humanitarian responsibility.
Mallam Olusesi further revealed that the programme featured a special leadership session attended by branch leaders to review strategies for expanding the organisation’s impact through community service, public enlightenment and humanitarian activities during the new Islamic year.
He expressed optimism that the blood donation exercise would become an annual institutional programme of The Muslim Congress, saying the organisation would continue to promote voluntary blood donation through regular community outreach across Lagos State.
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