RANDLE GENERAL HOSPITAL COMMENDS VOLUNTARY BLOOD DONORS 

The Medical Director of Randle General Hospital, Surulere, Dr. Olumide Sojinrin has commended the impressive turnout by voluntary blood donors during the Y2024 World Blood Donor Day commemorated by the Hospital on Friday with the theme: “20 Years of Celebrating Giving, Thank you, Blood Donors”.

Dr. Sojinrin, who demonstrated leadership by example by being the first person to donate blood at the event, ensured that the majority of the hospital staff including members of the public voluntarily took part in the blood donation exercise. 

He said donating blood is essential, describing it as a means of saving lives and putting a smile on the faces of the needy. He listed the health benefits of voluntary blood donation on the part of the donor to include lowering the risks of cardiovascular diseases and maintaining a healthy liver by removing excess iron from the body, among others.

“The importance of blood donation cannot be overemphasised in order to save lives and reduce the mortality rate in our society”, the Medical Director stated. 

Sojinrin also reiterated that all hands were on deck during the Y2024 world blood donor exercise, stressing that both clinical and non-clinical staff of the hospital, including all members of the hospital blood transfusion committee, worked together diligently to ensure that the exercise was professionally and successfully carried. 

He averred that the hospital also provided incentives in the form of food, drinks, water, snacks, mugs, biros and other souvenirs donated in part by the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service for all voluntary donors as a way of expressing appreciation for the kind and humanitarian gesture. 

Earlier, Dr. Adabale Abosede, Consultant Haematologist of the Haematology Department, Randle General Hospital said when a donor PCV is below 40%, the patient cannot go further for bleeding, but if it is 40% above, then such patient is good to go for bleeding.

While noting that women can go with 38% and above unlike men, whose PCV should be 40% and above, Dr. Adabale explained further that the blood samples collected (PCV) are usually tested for HIV, Hepatitis B, C and VDRL where the outcome of the result will then determine its use. 

In her words: “At least a pint of blood (App. 500ml) is taken from a voluntary donor who, after going through the screening process to determine his eligibility, is found fit to donate. The procedure starts with checking of vitals; Blood pressure (BP), pulse, weight and height of the proposed donor, after which he proceeds to the Phlebotomy room for PCV collection, the outcome of the PCV result will determine the next stage whether or not the patient can go ahead for bleeding”

Certificates were presented to all the donors who participated in the exercise for future reference. 
It is noteworthy that, across the globe, June 14th of every year is set aside to mark World Blood Donor Day (WBDD), as a way of creating awareness and enlighten the people that the importance of donating blood is to save lives and voluntary donors must be appreciated for their kind and unconditional humanitarian gesture.