Optimus Bank launches blood drive to support healthcare

Optimus Bank has launched a blood drive in Lagos to support critical healthcare needs and contribute to addressing the country’s blood supply gap.

Held under the bank’s broader corporate social responsibility platform, Impact Starts With Us, and themed “GIVE BLOOD. GIVE LIFE.”, the initiative mobilised employees, stakeholders and members of the community to contribute to a cause that can save lives.

A statement from the financial institution on Sunday stated that the initiative reflects Optimus Bank’s belief that its responsibility extends beyond financial services and that healthy, resilient communities are essential to a thriving economy.

In Nigeria, timely access to safe blood is critical for medical emergencies. Women experiencing bleeding during childbirth, accident victims, children with severe anaemia, people living with sickle cell disorder, cancer patients, and those undergoing surgery often require transfusions.

According to the World Health Organisation, Nigeria needs an estimated 1.8 million to two million units of blood annually, but only 371,827 units were collected in 2024. Postpartum haemorrhage accounts for approximately 23 to 30 per cent of maternal deaths in Nigeria, underscoring the importance of a safe and available blood supply.

Through the drive, Optimus Bank aims to support immediate collection while encouraging a culture of regular voluntary donation.

Commenting on the initiative, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Optimus Bank, Dr Ademola Odeyemi, said, “At Optimus Bank, we believe our responsibility goes beyond banking. The strength of any economy is connected to the wellbeing of its people, and we are committed to using our platform to create meaningful impact in the communities we serve.

“Through this initiative, we are encouraging Nigerians to give something that can give another person a second chance at life. For us, this is what Impact Starts With Us represents: taking action today that creates meaningful value for people, communities and the future we are building together.”

The blood drive forms part of Optimus Bank’s broader commitment to responsible corporate citizenship and sustainable community impact. Through Impact Starts With Us, the bank continues to support initiatives across healthcare, education, empowerment and environmental sustainability, with a focus on improving lives and strengthening communities.

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Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Head of Corporate Communications at Optimus Bank, Morolake Philip-Ladipo, said, “This initiative is ultimately about people. Behind every unit of blood is the possibility of helping a mother, a child, an accident victim, or a patient receive the care they urgently need.

“With GIVE BLOOD. GIVE LIFE, we want to remind Nigerians that impact does not always begin with something big. Sometimes, it begins with the simple decision to give.”

To ensure adherence to appropriate medical and safety standards, the blood donation drive was conducted with technical support from the Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

Head, Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion at LUTH, Prof Titilope Adeyemo, stressed that voluntary blood donation remained essential to ensuring that hospitals had blood available when patients needed it.

“A safe and reliable blood supply is critical to saving lives. Regular voluntary blood donation helps ensure that blood is available for emergencies, childbirth, surgery and patients who require ongoing transfusion support.”

Through initiatives that promote healthcare, education, economic empowerment, environmental sustainability and community development, Optimus Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to creating meaningful value beyond financial services.

The bank believes that healthier communities are better positioned to learn, work, build businesses, support families and contribute meaningfully to economic growth. Its commitment to social impact is therefore an integral part of its broader ambition to create opportunities and contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable future.

As Nigeria continues efforts to strengthen healthcare outcomes and improve access to essential medical services, Optimus Bank remains committed to supporting initiatives that create lasting value and contribute to healthier, stronger and more resilient communities.

For the countless Nigerians who may need blood today or tomorrow, every donation represents hope, healing, and the gift of life. GIVE BLOOD. GIVE LIFE. Impact Starts With Us.