THE management of Government Specialist Hospital, Asaba has announced plans to set up a 24-hour Walk-in Blood Donor Unit in the hospital.
The Chief Medical Director of the hospital (CMD), Dr. Peace Ighosewe made this known, on Thursday, in Asaba during a blood-drive campaign organised by the hospital in commemoration of the 2024 World Blood Donor Day.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the plan is part of the hospital’s campaign to create more awareness about the importance of blood donation.
Ighosewe said that the management of the hospital would make the blood drive campaign a frequent exercise due to the increase in demand for blood donation by patients in the hospital.
The medical director further said that the hospital would provide easy access for willing donors and ensure the timely availability of blood for patients in need.
She noted that it had become imperative to have a walk-in blood donor unit in the hospital due to the increasing interest by people willing to donate blood.
On the blood donor campaign, Ighosewe said she was greatly impressed with the turnout of donors who thronged the hospital to make voluntary blood donations as a result of the blood drive.
She revealed that staff of the hospital, from doctors to nurses as well as members of the cleaning and security units, came out to donate in support of the life saving cause.
The medical director expressed gratitude to the Delta State Government for providing an enabling environment for their work.
“I also commend the State Ministry of Health, led by Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, for the support and commitment to the success of the blood drive.
“I commend my dedicated team of Medical Laboratory Scientists, led by the HOD, Faith Emetonjor, for the exceptional work in planning and executing the project.
“My appreciation also goes to members of the management team and organising committee and all the 46 amazing donors, particularly donors who are staff of the hospital,” Ighosewe said.
According to the CMD, the hospital was poised to revolutionise blood donation and patient care in the state, with the planned setting up of a blood donor unit.
The Head, Medical Laboratory Science Department of the hospital, Faith Emetonjor, who spoke to newsmen at the event, said the blood drive was organised to celebrate old donors and encourage new people to donate.
Emetonjor reassured donors that comprehensive medical checks have been put in place to ensure their safety and blood products, with two functional blood banks.
She announced the availability of a refrigerated centrifuge in the facility, to ensure proper storage and utilisation of the units of blood donated.
A blood donor, Mr Emeka Nwangwu, a businessman, who was at the event, said he felt morally obligated to donate blood.
“I brought my daughter to the hospital for immunisation unknowing to me that today is World Blood Donor Day.
“However, on getting here and seeing the blood drive, I felt it was part of my responsibility to volunteer and help save lives by donating to this cause,” he said.
Nwangwu called on Nigerians to come forward and donate blood to patients in need to save lives.
A staff of the Asaba Specialist Hospital, Mr Chukwuebuka Obidike who was one of the 46 donors, told NAN in an interview that he had been a regular donor.
“I am a frequent donor and I have been doing this for a while now. When I saw the announcement for a blood drive I decided to come and donate,” he said.
NAN reports that the Asaba Specialist Hospital is dedicated to making blood donation a quarterly moral responsibility, thereby encouraging everyone to participate. (NAN)
