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Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos, has renewed calls for increased voluntary blood donation as it seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s blood supply system and improve transfusion safety.
Speaking during activities marking World Blood Donor Day 2026 in Lagos, Chief Medical Director, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, said the hospital requires between 20,000 and 25,000 units of blood annually to meet the needs of trauma victims, cancer patients, mothers with obstetric emergencies and other critically ill patients.
Adeyemo noted that blood supply remains largely unpredictable due to heavy dependence on family replacement donors and emergency appeals, stressing the need for a gradual shift to a voluntary donor-driven system.
He disclosed that LUTH had recruited more than 2,500 new voluntary donors since January 2025 through expanded donor mobilisation efforts and partnerships with corporate organisations, faith-based groups and tertiary institutions.
According to him, the hospital is targeting an increase in donor retention from the current 10 per cent to 60 per cent within the next two years and has introduced a donor loyalty programme to encourage repeat donations.
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The CMD also highlighted ongoing clinical reforms, including the establishment of a Hospital Transfusion Committee to promote Patient Blood Management and reduce unnecessary blood transfusions.
As part of efforts to enhance safety, Adeyemo announced the commissioning of the IH500 Fully Automated Immunohematology System, which automates blood grouping, antibody screening and crossmatching, while significantly reducing testing time and human error.
He said the technology strengthens blood compatibility testing and positions LUTH among the leading transfusion centres in West Africa, assuring patients of safer and more precise transfusion services.
Head, Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion Centre, Prof. Titilope Adeyemo, said the hospital remains committed to achieving 100 per cent voluntary, non-remunerated repeat blood donation, describing regular donors as critical to a reliable and safe blood supply system.
Coordinator, Voluntary Blood Donor Recruitment Unit, Adeyinka Adewale, said voluntary donors helped save about 3,000 lives in the past year, but lamented that only about three per cent of eligible Nigerians donate blood regularly, urging more citizens to embrace blood donation as a lifesaving civic responsibility.
