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http://www.lagosministryofhealth.org/

Lagos State Ministry of Health, Block 4 Government Secretariat, Obafemi Awolowo Way, Alausa-Ikeja, Lagos (2026)

29/01/2026

LEADERSHIP IN ACTION: LAGOS LAWMAKER DONATES BLOOD, AS LAGOS FACES SEASONAL SHORTAGES
..Osikomaiya urges Lagosians to donate voluntarily

In a strong demonstration of leadership and public service, the Chairman, House Committee on Health, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Musibau Aina Lawal, on Thursday donated blood at the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS) Headquarters, Gbagada, as the state continues to grapple with a post-festive decline in blood availability.

Hon. Lawal, a regular voluntary and non-remunerated blood donor, said his visit was prompted by the urgent need to boost blood stocks following the festive holiday season, a period historically associated with reduced donor turnout. The donation also coincided with his 50th birthday, which he marked by giving what he described as the “gift of life” to patients across Lagos State.

Speaking during the visit, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service, Dr. Bodunrin Osikomaiya explained that the current blood supply challenge has been compounded by increased donor deferrals, largely due to low haemoglobin levels and seasonal respiratory illnesses. These factors, she noted, have further strained supplies at a time when clinical demand for blood remains consistently high.

"Despite the shortage, demand for blood continues for critical cases including obstetric emergencies, road traffic accident victims, children with severe anaemia, patients living with sickle cell disorder, and those undergoing surgical procedures in public and private health facilities across the state", She said.

Osikomaiya, expressed appreciation for Hon. Musibau’s continued commitment to voluntary blood donation and advocacy for policies that strengthen safe and adequate blood supply, while renewing the call on healthy residents to donate blood, stressing that blood cannot be manufactured and can only come from willing donors.

By donating blood personally, the lawmaker reinforced the importance of leadership by example, using his action to encourage eligible Lagos residents to embrace voluntary blood donation as a lifesaving civic duty.

The Lagos State Government Nigeria Health Watch LagosBlood Transfusion Nigerian Red Cross Lagos State Branch Babajide Sanwo-Olu

29/01/2026

LAJIDE DRIVES DISEASE CONTROL AGENDA, PUSHES STRONGER IMPACT FOR LAGOSIANS
..Meets Disease Control Directorate, Targets Stronger Public Health Programmes

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, on Wednesday, January 29, 2026, continued her familiarisation meetings with departments and directorates under the ministry, holding an extensive session with the Directorate of Disease Control.

The meeting was attended by the Director of Disease Control, Dr. Victoria Egunjobi, alongside top officers of the directorate, including the Programme Manager, Viral Hepatitis Control Programme, Dr. Hussein Abdulrazzaq; State HIV Programme Coordinator, Dr. Oladipupo Fisher; NCD and Sickle Cell Programme Coordinator, Dr. Abosede Wellington; and the State Malaria Elimination Programme Manager, Dr. Abimbola Osinowo, as well as other programme officers and staff.

Also present at the meeting were the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mr. Adewale Aganano, and the Head of Special Projects, Dr. Tolu Ajomale, underscoring the cross-cutting importance of disease control to the overall mandate of the ministry.

Discussions at the session focused on key public health programmes including Viral Hepatitis, HIV, Non-Communicable Diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and cancer, tuberculosis and malaria, with emphasis on strengthening coordination, improving implementation strategies and ensuring that the impact of these interventions is felt more meaningfully by Lagos residents.

Commending the directors, programme managers and staff for their dedication, Dr. Lajide charged the directorate to further strengthen programmes through deliberate strategic planning, effective implementation and teamwork, assuring them of the ministry’s support as it continues to align disease control efforts with the broader health objectives of the state.

29/01/2026

LAGOS STEPS UP MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE DRIVE AS ABAYOMI, OGUNYEMI TAKE ENFORCEMENT LEAD
..Executive Order takes centre stage in drive for universal health coverage
..State intensifies enforcement, public awareness on ILERA EKO
..Leaders vows zero tolerance for non-compliance

The Lagos State Government has stepped up efforts to entrench mandatory health insurance with the formal investiture of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs) Kemi Ogunyemi, as Enforcement Leads of the Lagos State Health Scheme Executive Order and ILERA EKO Champions. The ceremony, held on January 19, 2026, at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Health, underscored the state’s determination to accelerate enrolment and compliance with the ILERA EKO Social Health Insurance Scheme.

Speaking at the event, Prof. Abayomi described the recognition as both symbolic and strategic, noting that Lagos is deliberately shifting residents away from out-of-pocket healthcare spending to insurance-based financing. “We have been battling with how to increase enrolment in ILERA EKO and change the culture of cash payment for healthcare. Insurance is a social safety net, and this mindset shift is non-negotiable,” he said.

The Commissioner recalled that Lagos became the first state to domesticate the 2022 National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act through an Executive Order issued in July 2024, making health insurance mandatory. He stressed that the decision reflected the Governor’s strong commitment to healthcare financing reform, adding, “When Mr. Governor personally edits and re-edits a document, it shows how critical that issue is to the future of Lagosians.”

Abayomi also warned against stigmatization of insured patients, describing negative attitudes towards ILERA EKO enrollees as a major barrier to uptake. “If someone presents an ILERA EKO card and is treated as inferior, uptake will suffer. That must stop,” he said, pledging to prioritise insurance compliance during facility inspections. “The key question I will keep asking is: ‘Where is the ILERA EKO?’”

In her remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs) Kemi Ogunyemi, said the enforcement role goes beyond a title, stressing that the health insurance scheme is now law. “This is about Universal Health Coverage and equitable access to quality healthcare for everyone in Lagos State,” she said, noting that ILERA EKO aligns with the state’s THEMES+ agenda.

Ogunyemi commended the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) for aggressive sensitisation efforts across the state, saying constant visibility was necessary to address persistent gaps in public knowledge. “People are still asking, ‘What is ILERA EKO?’ ‘Where do I enrol?’ Those questions tell us the work must continue,” she said.

She urged all directors and health officials to mainstream ILERA EKO promotion in every programme and engagement, emphasising that responsibility for health insurance advocacy does not rest with LASHMA alone. “When people come with medical bills, the first question should be: are you insured?” she said, adding that early enrolment remains critical as premiums rise over time.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, said the investiture marked a critical step in positioning leadership to drive enforcement of the Executive Order across the public service. “What we are undertaking is pioneering in Nigeria. All eyes are on Lagos as we demonstrate how mandatory health insurance can work,” she said.

Zamba disclosed that enforcement nominees across Ministries, Departments and Agencies have been trained, with a structure in place to ensure compliance beyond the health sector. According to her, “This initiative cuts across the entire public service, particularly public-facing MDAs, in line with the provisions of the Executive Order.”

She explained that the formal designation of the Commissioner and the Special Adviser as Enforcement Leaders was meant to strengthen compliance, alongside the Head of Service, while also recognising their consistent advocacy for universal health coverage. “This decoration is to amplify their roles and appreciate the leadership they have shown,” she said.

Delivering the closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, said the ceremony signalled the beginning of more intensive work rather than a mere formality. “While it may appear ceremonial, it carries significant responsibility and marks the commencement of serious enforcement,” she noted.

Lajide assured stakeholders of the Ministry’s full commitment to collaboration and leadership in driving the initiative. “Health is a collective responsibility, and we will continue to engage, communicate and work together to ensure the success of ILERA EKO across the entire sector,” he said.

The event ended with the formal decoration of Prof. Abayomi and Dr. Ogunyemi as Enforcement Leads and ILERA EKO Champions, reinforcing Lagos State’s resolve to achieve broad insurance coverage and strengthen its healthcare system through mandatory participation.

21/01/2026

LAGOS INAUGURATES LSHS ENFORCEMENT TEAM, BEGINS FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF MANDATORY SOCIAL Health INSURANCE
..Sanwo-Olu’s Executive Order to Drive Universal Health Coverage, End Out-of-Pocket Spending
..Staff Audit Now Tied to Ilera-Eko Enrollment Across MDAs: No Ilera-Eko, No Pay as Lagos Tightens Compliance
..MDAs to Lead by Example as ‘No Ilera-Eko, No Service’ Policy Takes Effect

The Lagos State Government on Wednesday formally inaugurated the Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS) Enforcement Team, marking the commencement of full implementation of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s Executive Order on mandatory social health insurance, aimed at ensuring that no resident is denied access to healthcare due to financial constraints.

The inauguration ceremony, held at the Conference Room of the Public Service Office (PSO), Alausa-Ikeja, brought together key stakeholders from the state and federal levels, reinforcing Lagos State’s leadership position in driving universal health coverage through the Ilera-Eko Social Health Insurance Scheme.

Delivering the keynote address, the Head of Service (HoS), Lagos State, Mr. Olabode Agoro, described the event as a critical milestone in the state’s health reform journey, stressing that the Executive Order underscores government’s commitment to affordable, accessible, and sustainable healthcare for all residents.

Agoro explained that since the issuance of the Executive Order, strategic engagements had been undertaken to ensure smooth implementation, including a retreat with Permanent Secretaries in September 2025 and a subsequent engagement with Heads of Agencies in December 2025, aimed at securing institutional ownership and aligning MDAs with the enforcement framework.

He noted that enforcement would commence in phases, beginning with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the first quarter of the year, before extending to local governments, local council development areas, the formal sector and corporate organizations across the state.

Clarifying public concerns, the HoS emphasized that enforcement was not punitive. “This is not about arrests or sanctions; it is about advocacy, persuasion and moral suasion,” he said, adding that enforcement would also involve restricting access to certain government services for those who fail to enroll, similar to tax compliance requirements.

Agoro directed MDAs to lead by example by ensuring that all staff are enrolled on Ilera-Eko, integrating the LASHMA registration link on their websites, and demanding proof of enrollment before rendering services. He further disclosed that enforcement compliance would be monitored through monthly reports submitted to his office.

In a far-reaching directive, the Head of Service announced that evidence of Ilera-Eko enrollment would henceforth be mandatory during monthly staff audits, warning that salaries of officers who fail to comply would be withheld. “Government already pays 75 per cent of the premium. We cannot afford to waste resources,” he stated.

Earlier, the Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, commended Lagos State for pioneering mandatory health insurance implementation, noting that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s health sector renewal agenda and the National Health Insurance Act of 2022.

Ohiri described health insurance as a critical tool against “health poverty,” explaining that both the poor and middle-income earners remain vulnerable to catastrophic health costs without insurance. “No Nigerian should have to sell property or borrow money in the middle of the night to save a life,” he said.

He pledged continued federal support for Lagos State, expressing optimism that the state would record millions of enrollees. “We will be here to celebrate one million, two million, and even ten million enrollees,” he assured.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, stated that the Enforcement Team was constituted pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order of July 16, 2024, which mandates social health insurance enrollment for all residents.

Zamba explained that Ilera-Eko offers actuarially designed plans to meet diverse needs, including the Standard, Standard Jaara, Standard Jaara Plus, Seniors Plan, and diaspora-focused packages, stressing that mandatory enrollment is essential for equity, sustainability and financial protection.

She disclosed that members of the Enforcement Team had undergone specialized training at the Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI) and would be expected to operate with professionalism, fairness and integrity, given the public interest nature of their assignment.

The LASHMA boss also acknowledged the leadership of the Head of Service, describing his support as pivotal to the progress recorded so far, while appealing for additional logistics, including buses and a pick-up vehicle, to enhance field operations and monitoring.

In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on the Parastatal Monitoring Office, Hon. Ibrahim Obanikoro, described health as wealth and urged Lagos residents to embrace the scheme, noting that health insurance provides critical financial relief during emergencies.

Obanikoro encouraged civil servants and residents alike to take advantage of the scheme, stressing that out-of-pocket healthcare spending could be financially devastating, particularly in emergency situations.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Mrs. Sunkanmi Oyegbola, announced an operational compliance measure, stating that officers must now present evidence of Ilera-Eko enrollment during monthly staff audits and “pay-at-site” exercises.

Oyegbola declared, “No enrollment, no pay,” explaining that the directive would ensure full compliance across MDAs and reinforce the principle that a healthy workforce is a productive workforce.

The inauguration of the LSHS Enforcement Team signals a decisive shift from voluntary participation to structured compliance, as Lagos State intensifies efforts to secure universal health coverage and safeguard residents against the financial risks of ill health.

14/01/2026

DR. LAJIDE BEGINS FAMILIARISATION TOUR AT HEALTH MINISTRY, SETS AGENDA FOR PERFORMANCE
..New PS meets key departments, harps on welfare, capacity building, teamwork

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, has commenced a comprehensive familiarisation meeting with departments, agencies, units and officers under the ministry, aimed at strengthening performance and improving service delivery in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration.

The meeting, which kicked off on Tuesday at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Health, is designed to deepen understanding of roles, duties and responsibilities across the ministry, identify operational challenges and jointly develop workable strategies, ideas and innovations to enhance efficiency. The exercise is scheduled to span two weeks, with a structured timetable covering all departments, agencies, units and offices under her supervision.

On the first day, Dr. Lajide met with the Director and staff of Occupational and Environmental Health Services, led by Dr. Theophilous Ajayi, as well as the Director and staff of the Administration and Human Resource Department, led by Mr. Adewale Aganano, engaging them in frank discussions on mandate delivery and institutional expectations.

Addressing the teams, the Permanent Secretary stressed the importance of staff welfare, continuous capacity building and effective teamwork as critical drivers for achieving the mission, vision and goals of the Ministry of Health, reiterating her strong commitment to human resource development as a pathway to attaining shared objectives.

14/01/2026

MEDICAL DIRECTORS SEEK STRONGER MINISTRY- HOSPITAL HANDSHAKE AS LAJIDE PLEDGES REGULAR ENGAGEMENTS, BETTER GOVERNANCE

…Medical Directors underscore need for collaboration, capacity building and system support

…Permanent Secretary urges frank dialogue, prioritisation and clinical governance

Medical Directors of Lagos State General Hospitals on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, calling for strengthened collaboration between secondary health facilities and the Ministry to further improve service delivery, staff welfare and health system governance across the state.

The visit, held at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Alausa on Wednesday, provided a platform for constructive dialogue as the Medical Directors, under the aegis of the Body of Medical Directors and Chief Executive Officers of Lagos General Hospitals, shared operational insights and expectations, while the Permanent Secretary outlined her priorities and commitment to more regular engagement.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, the Chairman of the Body and Medical Director of Randle General Hospital, Surulere, Dr. Olumide Sojinrin, congratulated Dr. Lajide on her redeployment to the Ministry of Health, describing it as merit-driven and strategic, noting that the Permanent Secretary of Health plays a central coordinating role within the sector.

Dr. Sojinrin said the visit was aimed at reinforcing institutional bonds, stressing that Medical Directors manage a significant proportion of patient care in the public health system and would benefit from closer supervisory interaction, periodic meetings and structured facility engagements.

He highlighted the importance of aligning manpower management, strategic planning, training support and communication structures to sustain quality service delivery, noting that enhanced collaboration would further strengthen the “health family” concept across the state.

Providing a facility perspective, the Medical Director of Mainland Hospital, Dr. Olusola Adejumo, spoke on ongoing efforts to optimise space and functionality following redevelopment activities, underscoring the need for timely infrastructure adjustments to support service continuity and training.

He also called attention to the importance of fully functional diagnostic equipment, stressing that resolving outstanding installation and power support issues would significantly enhance patient care and operational efficiency.

In his remarks, the Medical Director of Badagry General Hospital, Dr. Oluseyi Adesola, advocated periodic reviews of centrally implemented projects to ensure optimal performance, sustainability and cost-effectiveness, particularly in energy and infrastructure investments.

Similarly, the Medical Director of Orile Agege General Hospital, Dr. Oluyemi Taiwo, emphasised the value of consistent feedback mechanisms and timely information flow, noting that regular engagements would support coordinated responses to operational pressures and service demands.

Responding, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Dayo Lajide, thanked the Medical Directors for the visit and commended their leadership at the facility level, affirming that sustained, open engagement remains critical to mutual understanding and system improvement.

She identified staff capacity building, welfare and leadership development as priority areas, disclosing ongoing discussions with the Lagos State Health Service Commission on optimising available training funds, while encouraging continuous self-development among health workers.

Dr. Lajide also stressed the importance of clinical governance, proper documentation and adherence to standard operating procedures, noting that quality assurance remains central to patient safety and institutional accountability, and announced plans to reconvene clinical governance engagements in the coming weeks.

On equipment and infrastructure, she assured that lessons had been learnt from past procurement processes, pledged improved consultation with Medical Directors, and urged facilities to submit focused, priority-based equipment needs to ensure effective deployment.

Concluding, the Permanent Secretary assured the Medical Directors of improved communication channels, including digital coordination platforms and earlier notifications, reaffirming her commitment to regular engagements and a shared resolve to deliver quality, safe and accessible healthcare to all Lagos residents.

The Lagos State Government Babajide Sanwo-Olu Nigeria Health Watch World Health Organization Nigeria

14/01/2026

LSBTS RALLIES MOBILIZERS TO CLOSE BLOOD SUPPLY GAP AT 2026 STAKEHOLDERS’ ENGAGEMENT
..Partners align strategies to boost voluntary, repeat blood donation across Lagos
..Service targets stronger community networks to secure sustainable blood supply

In a renewed push to strengthen voluntary blood donation and close existing supply gaps, the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS) on Wednesday convened its 2026 Blood Donor Mobilizer Stakeholders’ Engagement at the DMO Resource Centre, Asibiffi Road, Alausa, Ikeja, bringing together donor mobilizers, partners and civil society actors across the state.

The engagement, themed “Voluntary Donors, Sustainable Blood: Securing Lagos State Blood Supply,” was aimed at aligning stakeholders to the state’s 2026 donor recruitment targets, improving donor retention, addressing barriers to donation and strengthening partnerships to ensure a reliable supply of safe blood for patients.

Welcoming participants, the Executive Secretary, LSBTS, Dr. Bodunrin Osikomaiya, said the meeting was holding at a critical time, noting that blood demand in Lagos remains constant due to childbirth complications, accidents, surgeries, sickle cell crises and cancer care, while donation levels fluctuate dangerously.

Dr. Osikomaiya stressed that blood cannot be manufactured or substituted, explaining that only consistent voluntary, non-remunerated donation can guarantee safety and sustainability, adding that the sharp decline in donations experienced during the December festive period underscored the urgency of stronger mobilization.

She described donor mobilizers as the most critical link in the blood supply chain, noting that policies and infrastructure alone cannot save lives without people willing to donate and trusted voices encouraging them to do so within communities, workplaces, schools and faith-based organisations.

According to her, the 2026 strategy will focus on recruiting more first-time voluntary donors while converting them into regular, repeat donors through improved follow-up, donor care, recognition and the “each one reach one or two” referral approach.

Dr. Osikomaiya said the engagement was designed to move beyond talk to practical action, with clear performance indicators, simple reporting and feedback mechanisms, and coordinated outreach plans that reflect Lagos realities such as time constraints, distance and traffic.

Presenting the donor recruitment outlook, the Head of Donor Recruitment and Retention, LSBTS, Ms. Olayinka Animashaun, revealed that in 2025, the service recruited 7,670 donors, with 5,656 successful donations recorded from 216 blood drives conducted across the state.

Ms. Animashaun explained that improved face-to-face advocacy, pre-donation counselling, better donor service delivery and enhanced documentation helped boost turnout, while challenges such as low awareness, myths, poor internet connectivity and space constraints still limited optimal performance.

She noted that the 2026 focus would be on strengthening community-level engagement, improving donor experience and addressing misconceptions that continue to discourage voluntary blood donation among otherwise eligible residents.

Speaking on behalf of partners, the President, Rotary Club of Lagos Palm Grove Estate, Rotarian Pravin Kumar, described Lagos State as a critical bridge between donors and the health system, noting that Rotary clubs across the state actively mobilize donors to support emergency blood needs.

Kumar disclosed that Palm Grove Estate alone donates an average of 500 pints of blood annually to the state, with plans to increase the figure to 1,000 pints this year through intensified awareness and stakeholder collaboration.

Also speaking, the Co-Founder, One Health Lifesavers, Mr. Idris Ibrahim, said the engagement strengthened collaboration among organisations, stressing that pooled resources and shared networks would enable partners to reach more people and organize multiple donation drives across Lagos.

Similarly, the PRO, KBK Club, Mr. Kamal Safiriyu, said the forum provided an opportunity to reflect on past efforts, share lessons and refine strategies, adding that stronger collaboration remains key to improving donation outcomes.

Founder and CEO, Diabetes & Limb Salvage Foundation, Mrs. Osarenkhoe Chima Nwagwugwu, described blood donation as a non-negotiable societal need, recounting her personal experience of difficulty accessing blood in December and calling for blood donation to become a constant conversation in homes, communities and institutions.

She emphasized that normalizing blood donation at family and community levels would help save countless lives, urging Lagos residents to see voluntary blood donation as a shared responsibility rather than an occasional charitable act.

The engagement concluded with a collective commitment by stakeholders to expand coordinated outreach, strengthen donor trust and work closely with LSBTS to ensure that safe blood is always available for patients across Lagos State.

The Lagos State Government LagosBlood Transfusion Nigerian Red Cross Lagos State Branch Nigeria Health Watch Lagosstatehealthscheme Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria Babajide Sanwo-Olu World Health Organization Nigeria Society for Family Health, Nigeria

13/01/2026

LAGOS INTENSIFIES DRIVE FOR SAFE BLOOD AS LSBTS TAKES VOLUNTARY DONATION CAMPAIGN TO RESIDENTS
..State targets sustainable blood supply through awareness, sensitization, and donor mobilization
..Sanwo-Olu administration reiterates commitment to modern, safe, and voluntary blood transfusion services

The Lagos State Government has renewed its push to secure a safe, adequate, and sustainable blood supply with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS) Voluntary Blood Donation Awareness and One-to-One Sensitization Campaign held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at the Lagos State Government Secretariat Community, Alausa-Ikeja.

The campaign, themed “Voluntary Donors, Sustainable Blood: Securing Lagos State’s Blood Supply,” formed part of activities marking the LSBTS Blood Awareness Month and underscored the state’s sustained efforts to promote a culture of voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation among residents.

Declaring the event open, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said Lagos, with an estimated population of about 30 million people, requires between 200,000 and 250,000 units of blood annually to meet its healthcare needs, stressing that voluntary donation remains the safest and most sustainable source.

Prof. Abayomi disclosed that the state recorded about 141,000 units of blood in the last cycle; approximately 70 per cent of the target, commending Lagosians who voluntarily donated blood and save lives in times of medical emergencies.

He described blood as a “liquid organ,” emphasizing that blood transfusion is comparable to organ transplantation and must therefore follow strict scientific protocols, including rigorous screening and precise donor-recipient matching, to prevent complications and transfusion-related infections.

The Commissioner reassured residents that blood donation poses no health risk to eligible, healthy donors, urging especially young people to make blood donation a regular habit, noting that every pint donated translates directly into lives saved across the state’s health facilities.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, said the demand for blood is constant and cuts across emergencies such as childbirth complications, road traffic accidents, surgeries, and other critical medical conditions that occur daily.

Dr. Ogunyemi noted that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has modernized blood transfusion services in Lagos through digitization, improved tracking systems, and strengthened safety protocols to guarantee that only screened and safe blood is made available to patients.

She stressed that not all prospective donors are accepted, explaining that robust screening processes are in place to protect both donors and recipients, while continuous training of laboratory and transfusion personnel ensures adherence to global best practices.

Reiterating that blood donation is a daily necessity and not a seasonal activity, the Special Adviser called on residents to overcome fears and myths surrounding blood donation, assuring that public confidence remains central to sustaining the state’s blood supply.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, commended the LSBTS and voluntary donors for their commitment, describing blood as life and a critical resource that underpins effective healthcare delivery.

Dr. Lajide noted that blood demand often spikes during festive periods due to increased mobility and accidents, but emphasized that the need persists throughout the year, making continuous donation campaigns essential for health system resilience.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of LSBTS, Dr. Bodunrin Osikomaiya, decried the persistent myths and misconceptions that discourage blood donation in Nigeria, even as medical emergencies, deliveries, and accidents continue unabated every day.

Dr. Osikomaiya explained that the campaign was designed to take advocacy directly to the community, beginning with government offices, MDAs, and public spaces, as part of efforts to lead by example and stimulate wider public participation.

She disclosed that LSBTS is strengthening one-on-one sensitization this year to address individual concerns, while opening its facilities to the public to improve transparency around blood collection, testing, processing, and storage.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health, Dr. Oluwatoni Adeyemi, said the campaign also aligns with global blood donation advocacy, noting that LSBTS has expanded digital platforms to enable residents easily access information on where and how to donate blood year-round.

Dr. Adeyemi urged collective responsibility in safeguarding Lagos State’s blood supply, stressing that blood donation should be a continuous civic duty rather than a one-off activity tied to specific campaigns.

Highlighting the human impact of voluntary donation, a donor, Mohammed Asalejo said he has been donating blood since 2022, adding that the experience has improved his sense of well-being and inspired him to encourage others to donate.

Another donor, Alhaji Oladele Asalejo, who has donated blood for over 15 years, described blood donation as beneficial both medically and socially, urging residents not to shy away from donating, as it promotes personal health while saving lives.

The event featured awareness talks, donor mobilization, voluntary blood donation, extensive one-on-one sensitization and pasting of information stickers on cars, with participation from key officials of the Ministry of Health and LSBTS staff, as Lagos State intensifies efforts to secure a reliable and safe blood supply for its growing population.

Lagos State Ministry of Health

29/01/2026

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