Lagos State Trains Blood Bank Personnel to Strengthen Transfusion Safety
The Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS) has successfully trained blood bank personnel in a major effort to enhance the safety and quality of blood transfusion services across Lagos State.
The two-day hands-on training, held on November 20 and 21 at the MRC Laboratory, LASUTH, Ikeja, focused on standardized testing, transfusion accuracy, and infection prevention. The programme is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the entire blood transfusion value chain and reduce transfusion-related risks in both public and private health facilities.
Welcoming participants, the Quality Assurance Manager of LSBTS, Mr. Taiwo Oloko, emphasized that the agency will not compromise on standards and urged facilities to maintain strict quality procedures in line with regulatory expectations.
Dr Bodunrin Osikomaiya
In her opening remarks, the Executive Secretary of LSBTS, Dr. Bodunrin Osikomaiya, described the initiative as a strategic intervention designed to close quality gaps and align practices with national and international safety benchmarks. She noted that the theme of the training, “Advancing Blood Safety and Quality through Standardized Testing and Infection Control Practices,” reflects Lagos State’s continued commitment to strengthening donor screening, blood collection, laboratory procedures, and transfusion outcomes.
Dr. Osikomaiya cautioned that bacterial contamination remains one of the leading global causes of transfusion-related illness and death, yet many facilities pay more attention to viral infections such as HIV and hepatitis. She stressed the need for strict disinfection, avoidance of open manipulation systems, and adherence to aseptic techniques. She also said competencies gained during the programme will influence performance in the upcoming 2026 External Quality Assurance (EQA) Assessment, where facilities will be evaluated on tube grouping accuracy, crossmatching proficiency, documentation quality, and infection control compliance.
Reaffirming government support, Dr. Osikomaiya stated that the Lagos State Ministry of Health, through the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee (LSBTC), will continue to strengthen quality systems, harmonise testing processes, improve documentation culture, and promote public–private collaboration to build a fully standardized blood system in the state. She appreciated the support of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Commissioner for Health Prof. Akin Abayomi, and commended the LSBTS team for their commitment.
A senior lecturer and Consultant Medical Microbiologist at LASUCOM/LASUTH and Director of the Lagos State Biobank, Dr. Bamidele Mutiu, delivered an in-depth technical session on transfusion-transmitted bacterial infections (TTBIs). He noted that over 72 infectious agents can be transmitted through blood, with bacteria responsible for most rapid and life-threatening reactions. He urged continuous learning, vigilance, and strict adherence to quality systems.
The Head of Monitoring and Enforcement at LSBTS, Dr. Samuel Alori, highlighted the strengthened regulatory oversight guiding blood transfusion in Lagos. He said illegal blood banking practices have reduced significantly following intensified inspections and the deployment of enhanced tools, including updated checklists, transfusion consent forms, and HaemoCentral, the state’s digital haemovigilance platform.
Head of Blood Bank and Component Production at LSBTS, Mrs. Rasheedat Mecca, walked participants through detailed SOPs for safe blood collection, donor identification, venipuncture preparation, aseptic technique, storage procedures, and timely component separation. She stressed that deviations from SOPs compromise blood quality and patient safety.
Participants expressed satisfaction with the programme. Secretary of the Blood Bank Society of Nigeria, Mr. Chris Ubi, said the training provided insights to address bacterial contamination risks and would lead to immediate review of internal procedures. Chairman of the Guild of Medical Laboratory Directors (GMLD), Adekoya Abimbola Julius, urged professionals to apply the knowledge gained to strengthen practice across their facilities.
Mr Olumuyiwa Onaneye, the Vice Chairman TWG (Technical Working Group) LSBTS and the National Vice President of the Guild of Medical Laboratory Directors (GMLD) was impressed with the success of the training and commend the efforts of the organizers and the participants.
The two-day training also featured practical demonstrations on tube grouping, crossmatching, proper skin disinfection, contamination prevention, and method harmonization.
At the end of the programme, participants renewed their commitment to improving internal quality systems, reducing transfusion errors, and ensuring safe, compatible, contamination-free blood for patients across Lagos State.