14th June, 2017
The Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, has acknowledged the contributions of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), and nine other corporate bodies and individuals for promoting blood donation in the country.
Prof. Olufemi Fasanmade, Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), LUTH, presented the award to Mr Mike Mbonye, Head, Editorial Services, NAN, Lagos, during a public lecture to mark 2017 World Blood Donor Day.
The Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion of the university on Wednesday appreciated the organisations with awards for offering selfless service as ardent supporters of blood transfusion service in the hospital.
Countries round the world celebrate the World Blood Donor Day to yearly to raise awareness on the need for safe and blood products, and to thank blood donors for their voluntary donations.
The theme for this year’s celebration was: “Blood Donation in Emergencies: What can you do? Give Blood! Give Now! Give Often’’.
Fasanmade commended NAN and the other awardees for their selfless service in ensuring their participation in the annual blood donation exercise.
“The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has consistently supported the Blood Transfusion Service in our hospital over the years.
“We want the NAN, as a media organisation, to help us disseminate information on the importance of blood donation.
“We hope that this will encourage all other media houses and government information agencies to continually send out messages, radio jingles and television messages.
“That way, many people will be encouraged to take up the challenge and will be more involved in donating blood voluntarily,’’ he said.
Also, Dr Titi Adeyemo, Head of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, explained that the awardees were selected based on their annual cooperation and participation in donating blood.
“These are organisations that invite us to their companies annually to educate their workers and then we get them to commit to regular blood donation.
“We are giving awards to five corporate organisations and five individual donors who donate blood at least two times every year.
“We want to encourage Nigerians to be part of voluntary blood donations because we do not know who is going to need that next unit of blood.
“It can be anyone and we expect blood to be available in the hospital blood bank.
“Blood is not manufactured artificially, it has to be donated; so, we appeal to people to donate blood and donate it regularly to ensure our emergency preparedness,’’ she said.
Responding, Mbonye, who received the award on behalf of NAN, said the organisation would continue to partner with LUTH to create more awareness on the importance of voluntary blood donation.
According to him, as a Federal Government agency, the organisation is committed to ensuring that every citizen receives guided information that will improve the health indices in the country.
NAN also reports that the other corporate recipients of the award include Airtel, AXA MANSARD, Muslim Students Society of Nigeria LUTH chapter and KB Club.