The Lagos State Government says it is subsidising the cost of blood screening in the state.
The Executive Secretary, Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service, Dr Bodunrin Oshikomaiya, disclosed that the subsidy aims to alleviate the financial burden on healthcare providers and the public, ensuring easier access to life-saving blood for all residents, according to a statement on Sunday.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Providence Hotel, Ikeja, Osikomaiya said due to economic realities, the agency earlier proposed to increase the access fee for a unit of blood from N7,000 to N13,500.
However, she said the government again acknowledged the economic situation in the country and decided to introduce N6,500 subsidy per unit of blood.
This subsidy, she said, “aims to ease the impact of the heightened expenses and ensure broader access to this critical product.”
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr Olumide Shogunle, commended the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service for its commitment to providing safe blood products to Lagosians.
He urged the media to “make it our duty to acquire essential information on the services provided by the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Services. Help us propagate the significance of blood donation. Blood is life.”
On his part, the Director of Public Affairs, Ministry of Health, Mr Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, reiterated the government’s commitment to delivering quality health care services to the over 21 million Lagosians.
