World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) Celebrated June 14 each year is geared towards raising global awareness on voluntary and non-remunerated blood donation to health systems.
The campaign event organised by the joint initiative of the World Health Organization (W.H.O) and Department of Haematology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti was held on Tuesday, 15th June, 2021 at the hospital’s premises.
The 2021 edition of the Blood Donor Day was tagged, “Give Blood and Keep the World Beating” with special focus on the essential role volunteer donors play by donating their life-saving gifts (blood) to people unknown to them.
Blood donation is a global call on addressing current gaps in the reinforcement of more people all over the world to donate blood regularly in contribution to a better health system.
The Chief Medical Director, Professor Adekunle Ajayi, while declaring the programme open, described blood donation as the real act of humanity.
“Giving blood is a simple, safe way to make a big difference in people’s lives”
He acknowledged the Head of Department, staff and organizers of the ‘Blood Donor Day’ and urged the people to voluntarily donate blood in order to prevent avoidable deaths.
In his address, the Head of Haemathology and Blood Transfusion Department, Dr Ibijola A., described blood donation as a humanitarian service, adding that blood is a necessary resource for planned treatment and urgent interventions for pregnant women, anaemic children, accident victims and people who lose blood during major surgeries.
“Statistics states that, in every two seconds, someone, somewhere, globally needs blood.”
He therefore encouraged all to
willingly donate blood to ensure better health and reduce mortality rate.
Donors on ground were appreciated for their readiness to support the initiative of rendering help in saving lives by donating blood voluntarily.
Activities carried out were; Campaign across the centre, Registration / Counselling and Donation.