Dr. Bodunrin Osikomaiya, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS), has announced the closure of a medical facility due to unlawful and unprofessional medical practices, putting citizens' lives at risk.

This development comes after a concerned citizen's tip-off led to joint efforts between LSBTS and the state Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA).

The facility was sealed for violating blood transfusion service laws, engaging in unethical medical practices, and endangering patients' well-being. According to Osikomaiya, the law stipulates that blood cannot be transfused into a patient in Lagos State unless it has been properly screened, tested, labelled by the state blood transfusion committee, and found negative for transmissible diseases, including HIV I and II, Hepatitis B and C, Syphilis, and other relevant conditions.

To address the situation, the blood donors' and transfusion recipients' information from the facility has been obtained, and efforts are underway to trace patients who received unscreened blood units to assess their clinical health status.

Osikomaiya emphasised that the hospital's management and involved staff will face prosecution by the law. The LSBTS is committed to combatting unethical blood transfusion practices and urges citizens to report violations.

Health workers and stakeholders in the blood transfusion process, including blood banks, donation centres, and logistics firms, are encouraged to adhere to WHO regulations and the state's Blood Transfusion laws to ensure a safe and responsible blood transfusion chain.

Osikomaiya concluded by stating that the LSBTS will intensify its efforts in monitoring all facilities involved in blood transfusion to guarantee the safety of all residents in the state.