The commissioner said this during the launching of the Corporate Organisation Blood Drive at the 159th World Red Cross Day (WRCD) celebration on Sunday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised by the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), Lagos Branch, with the theme: “#BeHumanKIND.”
The corporate organisation blood drive is a collaboration between the NRCS, Lagos Branch, and the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS).
Represented by Dr Bodunrin Osikomaiya, Secretary, LSBTS, Abayomi said the initiative was borne out of the need to meet up the shortfall of blood in the state.
“The WHO had estimated that at least 200,000 pints of blood is needed to meet the need of Lagos State.
“The humanitarian projects are much desired as they are all channelled to improve lives of residents of the state and beyond,” he said.
Abayomi said the Red Cross would reach out to organisations to ensure they understood the reasons, benefits of blood donation and what should be done before donating.
“This will be done within the organisation’s office spaces; if there’s no space, we will take them to our blood mobile to collect and process the blood.
“Thereafter, it will be distributed to blood banks in the state,” he explained.
Also, the Chairman of NRCS, Lagos Branch, Mrs Adebola Kolawole, said the initiative was targeted at corporate organisations to imbibe the culture of voluntary blood donations.
Kolawole added that the initiative would enhance the total well being of the voluntary blood donors.
“It will improve the Red Cross present performance in the area of saving lives through voluntary blood donation,” she said.
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