The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), in its concerted efforts to save lives, increase enrolment, and drive blood donation, has flagged off its Health Week.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, speaking at the flag-off ceremony held recently at Alausa, Ikeja, said that Health Week is important because there is a need to raise the consciousness of Lagos residents to the fact that with the domestication of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act, every Nigerian must register on the Social Health Insurance Scheme in his or her state of residence.

She explained that it is therefore compulsory for every resident in Lagos State to enroll on ILERA EKO. Dr. Zamba also said that LASHMA is embarking on the Health Week blood donation in collaboration with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS), the Nigeria Monthly Project, and Lagos Talks 91.3FM to ensure that there is an adequate blood supply for the enrollees on ILERA EKO.

She said that the project, which commenced on Monday, October 23, 2023, to end on Monday, December 30, 2023, in 12 designated centres across the IBILE Divisions in the state, is aimed at generating 100,000 pints of blood.

Dr. Zamba said that patients’ unhindered access to blood, when required, will reduce death, especially among pregnant women and children.

She called on the residents to enrol on the Lagos State Social Health Insurance Scheme to have access to quality and affordable healthcare as well as reduce their out-of-pocket payments for medical bills.

To enroll on ILERA EKO, the Permanent Secretary said that residents can visit LASHMA Headquarters at 17 Kafi Street or any of the divisional and sub-divisional offices spread across the state. She added that residents can also enrol through the ILERA EKO QR Code, USSD Code 6700006#, download the ILERA EKO Customer app on Play Store or Apple Store, or visit the website: lashma.com.

Dr. Zamba urged residents in the State who are willing to enroll on ILERA EKO and also donate blood to visit any of the designated centers across the five IBILE Divisions in the state, as the staff of LASHMA and the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service are on the ground to attend to them.

She explained that residents in Ikeja Division can go to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service, Gbagada Centre, Alimosho General Hospital, Igando, Agege General Hospital, Agege, and Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service at Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre (LASEC), Kosofe.

Dr. Zamba added that residents in Badagry Division can also walk in to donate blood at Badagry General Hospital, Badagry, or Maternal and Child Center, 1st Gate, Festac.

The Permanent Secretary urged residents in Ikorodu Division to go to Ikorodu General Hospital, Ikorodu, and those in Lagos Division to visit the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service Voluntary Blood Donation Centre within the General Hospital, Lagos, or Randle General Hospital, Surulere, or Maternal and Child Centre, Ogombo Road, Eti-Osa, while residents in Epe Division should go to Epe General Hospital, Epe.

She urged residents who want to seek more clarification on the one-week blood donation drive to please call 08069207914 or 08179460795. The Permanent Secretary added that residents can also send WhatsApp messages to 09097979929.

Speaking on the importance of blood donation, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service, Dr. Bodunrin Osikomaya, said that anyone who donates blood will get better, be revitalized, and be energized as new cells will be formed.

She urged residents to dispel the myths against blood donation. According to her, blood donation, apart from saving the lives of patients who need it, is also more beneficial to the donor. Dr. Osikomaya added that residents can even donate blood up to four times a year once the donor is certified to be fit to donate.

The Executive Secretary said that to donate blood during LASHMA Health Week, a person must be between 18 to 55 years old. She added that the donor should also eat and drink plenty of water before coming to any of the 12 centers, following which the vitals and test for such a person will be done to determine if the donor can donate blood.