The Lagos State Government has signed a five-year Blood Screening and Certification Concession Agreement aimed at improving blood safety, standardising screening procedures and ensuring the availability of safe blood in public hospitals across the state.
Eko Hot News reports that the agreement was signed at the Conference Room of the Lagos State Ministry of Health in Alausa, Ikeja. The initiative involves approved private concessionaires and Roche Products Limited.
The new concession is expected to strengthen quality assurance, improve accountability and introduce technology-driven blood screening services in government health facilities.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, described blood as a critical medical resource that requires strict government oversight and the highest standards of safety.
He explained that blood transfusion is a sensitive public health service because it has direct implications for patient survival and healthcare outcomes.
According to the Commissioner, the partnership with reputable concessionaires and globally recognised equipment manufacturers will ensure that every unit of blood collected in Lagos is screened using internationally accepted standards.
He said the screening process will focus on detecting transfusion-transmissible infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Syphilis.
Abayomi noted that modern diagnostic technology has significantly reduced the risk of infections by narrowing the period during which diseases may go undetected.
“We are working towards two goals simultaneously; meeting the growing demand for blood and ensuring that every unit carrying the Lagos State logo is safe,” the Commissioner said.
He added that residents should have complete confidence in blood certified by the Lagos State Government because it will meet the highest professional screening standards.
The Commissioner also appealed to healthy residents to become regular voluntary blood donors, stressing that donated blood saves the lives of mothers, newborns, accident victims and other emergency patients.
He commended the Permanent Secretary, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service and the concessionaires for their commitment to improving blood safety in the state.
Abayomi said Lagos remains committed to becoming a regional hub for safe blood services capable of supporting neighbouring states in the future.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, described the agreement as a major reform that reinforces efforts to ensure every unit of blood used in Lagos is screened through reliable technology and traceable processes.
She said the concession followed an extensive procurement process involving technical, financial and legal reviews before the final agreement was reached.
Dr. Lajide explained that the framework includes clear provisions for service delivery, harmonised equipment, quality assurance, revenue management, performance monitoring and accountability.
She added that the initiative aligns with the health pillar of the THEMES+ Development Agenda and supports the state’s goal of building a resilient 21st-century healthcare system.
The Permanent Secretary emphasised that the signing ceremony marked the beginning of implementation and that success would be measured by the quality and safety of services delivered to residents.
Providing an overview of the concession, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service, Dr. Bodunrin Osikomaiya, said the previous agreement expired in June 2023.
She explained that the new framework was designed to address operational gaps such as uneven screening capacity, inconsistent equipment, weak traceability and inadequate quality assurance.
According to her, the agreement has expanded into a detailed performance-based framework with stronger legal, financial and operational safeguards.
Dr. Osikomaiya disclosed that the procurement process began in November 2024 and involved a rigorous evaluation of prospective concessionaires before five successful firms were selected.
She said Roche Products Limited will provide fully automated World Health Organisation-compliant screening systems, while the Lagos State Government will maintain regulatory oversight throughout the concession period.
Speaking on behalf of the concessionaires, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Banner Diagnostics, Mr. Adetunji Kolawole-Moradeyo, praised the government for sustaining a blood screening programme that began more than two decades ago.
He noted that screening centres across Lagos have undergone significant transformation and requested additional operational space for modern diagnostic equipment.
The General Manager of Roche Products Ltd, Mr. Roberto Taboada, assured the government of the company’s full commitment to the success of the programme through continuous technical support, equipment maintenance and reagent supply.
In her vote of thanks, Dr. Olajumoke Oyenuga appreciated all stakeholders for their dedication throughout the reform process and expressed confidence that the agreement would usher in a new era of safer and more accountable blood screening services in Lagos.
