The Lagos government has sealed a private hospital in Ago-Okota in Oshodi-Isolo local government for collecting and transfusing unscreened blood to patients.

The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service, Dr Bodunrin Osikomaiya, said in a statement that the hospital was sealed following a tip-off from a concerned citizen.

Osikomaiya said the hospital contravened the blood transfusion service law and engaged in unethical and unprofessional medical practice by risking citizens’ lives.

“Following the tip off, and after thorough investigations, the enforcement teams of LSBTS and HEFAMAA, during their joint monitoring exercise in the area, visited the facility and confirmed to be true, the unwholesome, unprofessional and unethical medical practices and conduct of the hospital management,”

“The law states that no person within Lagos State shall transfuse blood into a patient unless such blood has been screened, tested, labelled by the state blood transfusion committee, and found to be negative for all transmissible diseases including HIV I and II, Hepatitis B and C, Syphilis and any other disease as may be deemed necessary by LSBTS,”  Osikomaiya said.

She said the LSBTS and the state Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency are tracing patients transfused with the unscreened blood at the facility to ascertain their clinical health status and ensure their safety.

Osikomaiya said the management of the hospital and workers found guilty in the unwholesome act would be prosecuted in accordance with appropriate laws.

She appealed to citizens to support the war against unwholesome blood transfusion services by reporting infractions and unwholesome practices when they see any.

Osikomaiya also implored health workers and stakeholders involved in the blood transfusion chain, including blood banks, blood donation centers, and logistics firms, to adhere strictly to WHO regulations and the state Blood Transfusion laws on blood donation, collection and transfusion.