The Total Health Trust (THT), a Tangerine Company, in partnership with the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre, has commended the students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) for participating voluntarily in the blood donation drive aimed at supporting life-saving healthcare interventions in the country.

Assistant Director, Medical Laboratory Services at the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre (LASAEC), Oyenekan Adeola, while speaking at the event, stated that the initiative is critical towards bridging the gap in the shortage of blood donation that is currently being experienced in Lagos.

Oyenekan, who described blood donation as a life-saving healthcare intervention, recalled that many lives that had experienced trauma, accident and other life-threatening cases were saved by the blood donated voluntarily.

The medical personnel further reiterated that the programme represented one major source to closing the gap of shortage of blood, urging corporate organisations to adopt a blood donation drive as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

She, however, addressed common misconceptions about blood donation, reassuring the public that the process is safe and beneficial.

Oyenekan, therefore, called on Nigerians to embrace the culture of voluntary donation, noting, “When you donate blood, you save lives, including your own. With just one pint, you can save up to three people. I urge individuals and organisations to come forward and support this life-saving initiative.”

Head of Commercial at Total Health Trust (THT), Joy Gonji, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to saving lives through its yearly blood donation initiative, saying that the drive, which had been held consistently for the past five years, aimed at supporting healthcare systems with much-needed blood supply.

She said that the choice of hosting the event at UNILAG was because the students play a crucial role in shaping future attitudes toward blood donation.

Also, Head of Customer Experience and Chief of Staff at Total Health Trust (THT), Aloysius Nwaizu, described blood donation as a “two-way advantage,” saying: “When you donate blood, you are saving lives and also helping your own health. The body naturally replenishes the donated blood, which can be beneficial to overall well-being.”

He added that another benefit donors stand to gain from blood donation is the issuance of donor cards, which entitle holders to receive blood free of charge if the need arises in the future.
MEANWHILE, the National Blood Service Agency (NBSA) has called on Nigerians to embrace voluntary blood donation as part of efforts to ensure a safe, sustainable and adequate blood supply across the country.

Director-General of the agency, Prof. Saleh Yuguda, gave the charge during the commemoration of the 2026 World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) campaign themed “One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives,” unveiled by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Yuguda said the campaign was aimed at encouraging regular, voluntary and unpaid blood donations while raising awareness about the critical role blood and plasma donations play in saving lives and strengthening healthcare systems.

He, however, stressed the need for stronger collaboration among governments, development partners, healthcare institutions and civil society organisations to expand access to safe blood transfusion services.