In commemoration of the World Blood Donor Day, staff of Veritas Kapital Assurance Plc, on Friday donated blood to the nation’s blood bank to save lives, and as service to humanity.
The blood donation drive was through a partnership with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service(LSBTS) and the National Blood Service Commission(NBSC) in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the World Blood Donor Day is held annually on June 14 to appreciate voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood and to raise awareness of the need.
The 2024 World Blood Donor Day, which marks the 20th year anniversary of celebrating blood donors, is with the theme: ’20 years of celebrating giving: Thank you, blood donors!’.
Commenting, Mr Sunkanmi Adekeye, Executive Director, Operations of Veritas Kapital Plc, said that the blood donation was done simultaneously in the insurance company’s Lagos and Abuja offices.
Adekeye said this was part of the insurance company’s Corporate Social Responsibility(C
SR) to the public and to also support the government’s campaign on voluntary donation into the country’s blood bank.
Adekeye explained that Veritas Kapital had keyed into the blood donation programmes since year 2022 when it partnered the NBSC in Abuja for its staff to donate blood.
The Executive Director noted that the insurance company extended the mandate to staff of its Lagos office through the LSBTS this year, as a commitment to reach more Nigerians who need blood.
‘As a corporate entity, we are committed to saving lives and giving more people opportunities to live; service to humanity is the best gift of life.
‘We are fully aware of the importance of blood for survival, and as a dutiful insurance firm, we are committed to support government’s campaign and effort to ensure sufficient blood supply in the nation’s blood bank.
‘We need all Nigerians to live in good health and sound mind, as it is a living being that can be insured; hence our effort to also contribute and champion the course of blood d
onation.
Reacting, Mrs Temitope Balogun, Lead Team, LSBTS Voluntary Blood Donation Drive at Veritas Kapital, lauded the underwriting firm for partnering with LSBTS and championing the mission for sufficient blood supply in the country.
Balogun said that Veritas Kapital through its partnership with the blood donating services has joined the league of companies with life saving culture in the country.
‘Veritas Kapital is now on the list of partnering companies with the LSBTS and saving lives of Nigerians,’she said.
According to Balogun,voluntary blood donation increases the availability of blood in blood bank for those who need blood urgently to survive.
She listed patients in need of blood to include: sickle cell and cancer patients, children that are anemic and need blood transfusion, accident victims, a woman who delivered of a baby with complications or bleeding, among others.
According to her, blood donation is beneficial to donors, as it helps them to shed excess iron in the heart, ascertain their b
lood pressure and hemoglobin level, as well as check their prostrates and weights.
Balogun advised male Nigerians to donate blood every three months and for women, every four months.
This, she said, would help in maintaining appropriate well-being as well as contribute to saving the life of others.
NAN also reports that Veritas Kapital Assurance Plc is a leading insurance company in Nigeria licensed to cover all classes of non-life insurance products and services.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria