Please do note that we will update this report as many Nigerians may have as well donated blood without making it to the public space.
World Blood Donor Day is marked annually on June 14 to raise global awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products for transfusion and the critical contribution voluntary, unpaid blood donors make to national health systems.
Recall that the Would Health Organisation says blood stocks in the African region have declined over the last year as fewer people have been donating blood during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It says there are still around seven million patients who require this life-saving product(BLOOD) in African countries every year.
In the bid to contribute their effort to save this African and possibly Nigerian patients AIICO Insurance Plc, says no fewer than 50 of its staff have voluntarily donated blood through the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service to commemorate 2021 World Blood Donor Day.
Mr Segun Olalandu, AIICO’s Head of Strategic Marketing and Communications Department, said this in a statement in Lagos on Monday.
Olalandu explained that the firm’s internal blood donation initiative was championed by all cadres of staff of the company.
“The event, which took place within the company’s premises, commenced with blood screening of volunteers to determine their eligibility.
“The blood screening was carried out by the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service, under the most hygienic conditions and strict adherence to applicable safety guidelines,” he said.
Mrs Abimbola Shobanjo, AIICO’s Head of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, in the statement, said that “saving lives is everybody’s business and one does not have to be a doctor to do that.’’
“At AIICO, we value the health and well-being of our people and those in our community, thus, giving back in this manner was an exhilarating endeavour for our staff, ” Shobanjo said.
In his remarks, Mr Babatunde Fajemirokun, Managing Director of the company, was quoted to have said that “global and local data reveals that there may never be an equilibrium in the demand and supply of blood”.
Fajemirokun stated that, “Locally, we have seen the huge supply gap, especially with the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and the continuous rise in the demand for blood in our health institutions to keep others alive.
“This prompted our intervention and because we run an all-inclusive approach to corporate responsibility and sustainability, our employees are given the space and opportunity as key stakeholders to volunteer as participants. ”
AIICO Insurance is a leading composite insurer in Nigeria with a record of serving its customers for more than 50 years.
Founded in 1963, AIICO provides life and health insurance, general insurance and investment management services to create and protect wealth for individuals, families and corporate customers.
