Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, says regular blood donors stand the chance of living five years extra than people who are not regular blood donors.
Prof. Titi Adeyemo, Head, Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, LUTH, gave the assertion on Wednesday during a voluntary blood donation exercise at the News Agency of Nigeria Lagos office premises in Lagos.
Mrs Adeyemo, also a Consultant Haematologist, explained that blood donation kept the bone marrow active, which in turn kept the individual younger.
The haematologist decried that Nigeria still heavily relied on family replacement donor; where relatives were forced to donate blood.
She, therefore, urged people not to wait for an emergency before they start donating blood.
According to her, the department goes out as often as it gets invitations to come for blood donation. The essence of going to seek blood donation is to supplement the blood that are being generated within the hospital.
“It is very safe for people between 18 and 65 years of age to donate blood three or four times a year.
“Blood donation keeps the bone marrow active and once the bone marrow is active, it keeps the individual younger.
“And some evidences have shown that regular blood donors live five years extra than people who are not regular blood donors; because their bone marrow is continually renewed,” Adeyemo said.
in his remarks, Mr Adeyinka Adewale, the Unit Head, Blood Donor Recruitment, Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, LUTH, canvased the need for more Nigerians to cultivate the habit of voluntary blood donation.
Adewale spoke on the significance of blood donation, calling for more advocacy in Nigeria as most people did not understand the need for regular blood donation.
According to him, there is an urgent need to orientate Nigerians on the importance of blood donation, especially as voluntary givers, as it saves more lives if blood can easily be accessed by the health institution and patients when needed.
Highlighting the benefits of voluntary blood donation, Adewale said that it reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, stroke, depression and elongates life.
He explained that regular blood donors had the opportunity of having regular medical check-up, which predisposed the individual to a healthier lifestyle.
He said that an individual could donate blood in three months intervals, which translated to donating blood up to three or four times per year.
“Blood is an important resource both for planned treatment and urgent medical interventions.
“Blood can help patients suffering from life-threatening conditions to live longer and with a higher quality of life and can also support complex medical and surgical procedures.
“It is also vital for treating the wounded individuals during emergencies of all kinds (natural disasters, accidents, armed conflicts, etc.) and has an essential, life-saving role in maternal and perinatal care.
“Hence, the need for more people to voluntarily donate blood to not only save lives but also to help enhance access to safe and readily available blood,” he said.
Appreciating the agency’s staff for coming out enmass for the exercise, Adewale said that NAN had been a regular donor for over six years.
A regular blood donor, Oladapo Udom, said it gave him joy to save lives through blood donation.
Udom, An Assistant Chief Correspondent, NAN, said he participated in the exercise because of its significance.
“I am a regular donor; at least for the past three years, I have been donating blood. And for the fact that it can save one’s life gives me joy.
“Donating blood keeps me fit and rejuvenates my body system.
“Unfortunately, due to some superstitious beliefs, some people do not like to give out their blood, while some are not actually medically fit to donate.
“But, if you’re fit to donate; endeavour to do so because you might be saving a life unknowingly,” Udom said.
NAN
