The Lagos State Government has taken a major step toward enhancing patient safety and streamlining blood transfusion services with the launch of HaemoCentral, a digital Blood Inventory Management System. This innovative platform is designed to manage donor registration, blood screening, inventory, and transfusion across both public and private health facilities. It ensures real-time tracking, equitable allocation, and improved access to safe blood. The initiative is a key component of the Lagos State THEMES Plus Agenda.
Key Features of HaemoCentral
- Donor Appointment Booking: Enables donors to schedule appointments, making the donation process more efficient.
- Barcode Labelling for Traceability: Tracks each unit of blood from donation to transfusion, reducing errors and enhancing safety.
- Secure Role-Based Data Access: Grants authorized personnel secure access to critical information while safeguarding patient confidentiality.
- Integration with Lagos Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP): Allows real-time data synchronization across public and private blood banks for informed decision-making and operational efficiency.
A Leap Toward Transparency and Accountability
Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, described the launch as “long overdue,” emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in blood transfusion services. “We are not just building systems; we are building trust. We are saving lives,” she said, highlighting the platform’s potential to transform the state’s healthcare delivery.
Improving Patient Safety
Dr. Ogunyemi shared a personal story illustrating the urgent need for reform: “At the Health Service Commission, we lost a patient due to a transfusion error. There were no proper protocols in place. HaemoCentral will change that.”
A Collaborative Effort
HaemoCentral was jointly developed by the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee (LSBTC), the Ministry of Health, and Digital Health Platforms, the platform’s developer. Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, praised the effort: “HaemoCentral is the result of deliberate teamwork and strategic innovation.”
Data Protection and Security
The platform has undergone a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) to ensure compliance with Nigeria’s data protection laws. Mr. Olufemi Olapegba, Managing Director of Digital Health Platforms, stressed the platform’s security: “We built this on the same backbone as Interswitch. You can trust its integrity.”
A New Era for Blood Services
The launch of HaemoCentral signals a new era in Lagos State’s digital health transformation. With its robust features and strong commitment to safety and transparency, the platform is set to revolutionize blood transfusion services—saving lives and improving patient outcomes.
