To strengthen access to safe blood and improve healthcare delivery, the Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF), with support from Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO), has partnered with the Delta State Ministry of Health, the Nigerian Red Cross Society and other stakeholders to commemorate the 2026 World Blood Donor Day with statewide awareness campaigns and voluntary blood donation drives.

The initiative, held on June 16 across the three senatorial districts of Delta State, aligned with the global observance of World Blood Donor Day marked annually on June 14. It also launched a month-long blood donation campaign aimed at increasing voluntary blood donations and raising awareness on the importance of maintaining adequate blood supplies in healthcare facilities.

Blood donation exercises were conducted at the State Secretariat Clinic and Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, as well as Central Hospital Warri and Central Hospital Ughelli.

The campaign followed the World Health Organization’s 2025 Global Status Report on Blood Safety and Availability, which emphasised that a safe and sufficient blood supply is essential for an effective healthcare system.

Stakeholders at the event stressed that voluntary, regular and unpaid blood donation remains the most sustainable way of ensuring adequate blood supplies for emergency care, surgeries, childbirth and other life-saving medical interventions.

Speaking during the event, the Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, described voluntary blood donation as critical to saving lives during emergencies, accidents and childbirth.

He commended VCDF, SEEPCO and other partners for their commitment to promoting voluntary blood donation and supporting healthcare initiatives across the state.

At Central Hospital Ughelli, the hospital’s Blood Transfusion Committee and management also lauded the Ministry of Health and supporting organisations for the successful implementation of the programme.

Many participants said the campaign had increased public awareness of the importance of blood donation, while several first-time donors expressed their willingness to become regular donors after learning about the safety and life-saving benefits of voluntary blood donation.

The organisers said the campaign recorded impressive community participation across the various locations and reiterated that every unit of donated blood has the potential to save multiple lives.

VCDF reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging SEEPCO’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives to support government efforts in improving public health outcomes and expanding access to safe blood for communities across Nigeria.