Hematologist states benefits of blood donation

Dr Adebukola Alli, a consultant hematologist at the Alimosho General Hospital, Igando in Lagos State, has said that the importance of blood donation cannot be over emphasised.

Alli said it on Monday when the Life Savers International, a blood donation body, in conjunction with the Lagos State Transfusion Services, held its September edition of blood drive exercise at the Alimosho General Hospital in Igando.

Speaking at the event, Dr Alli said that donating blood is a service to humanity that a donor saves more than a life; as every unit of blood is broken into several other units, hard cells, platelets and plasma.

She said: “Donating blood brings an inner joy and a true sense of fulfillment as a human.

“It helps in the replacement of fresh blood cells, improves oxygenation, reduces diseases like gastric cancer and reduction in heart disease.

“The process is a life saver at emergency sections in Mother Child Centres, which has a high demand for blood as a result of bleeding by mothers after child birth and others.’’

According to her, donating blood every three to four months reduces stress and serves as anti ageing factor.

The hematologist, however, tasked intending donors to practice healthy lifestyles.

Mr Taiwo Akinsanya, the co-founder of Life Savers, also said that the organisation created awareness about blood donation to ensure availability of blood and safe water as essentials that keep life going.

Akinsanya said that the body was committed to create more awareness and encourage a series of periodic blood donation drive to further sustain the programme.

“This is what we do and we are very passionate about this because it is all about life saving.

“We are very committed to this and we hope others will join us,’’ he said.

A voluntary donor with the non-profit making organisation, Miss Nimotala Abari, expressed her excitement at the ongoing blood drive.

Abari said that it was always amazing to save life without spending money, except the gift of blood to humanity.

The donor appealed to more Nigerians to give back to humanity by donating blood.