In the aftermath of the explosion that occurred in Ibadan on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, various narratives on social media suggested that victims were in urgent need of blood donation.
While sharing news on the explosion which rocked the Southwest city on the X platform, some users also stated that the victims of the explosion receiving emergency care at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan require urgent blood transfusion and people should consider donating blood to help them.
The post regarding urgent need for blood donation by the victims of the explosion was first shared by Olusina Ajidahun, a popular medical practitioner on the X platform known by his username @the_beardedsina. His post read: “URGENT!!!! Please share if you see this. Please, If you are close to UCH, Ibadan. Head there. There is an urgent need for Blood, Blood donors and medical supplies. Please any help will be appreciated. Please share.”
Another prominent medical professional on X, Harvey Olufunmilayo known by his username @DrOlufunmilayo reiterated that people should kindly go and donate blood in two separate posts with location on where to donate.
A Twitter user, @Olu_Kanyinsola’s post enjoined residents closer to the hospital to donate blood for the victims. It reads: “Reports indicate an explosion in #Ibadan with an unknown cause. Doctors at UCH Ibadan report that casualties are arriving for emergency treatment. Many require urgent blood transfusions. If you’re in Ibadan or close to UCH hospital, please consider donating blood to aid victims.”
X users identified as @olarenwaju_2005 and @TheRealSanti shared similar post which reads: ”BLOOD DONORS ARE NEEDED FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE EXPLOSION AT ADEYI AVENUE BODIJA IBADAN. PLEASE REPOST!!!!!! #Ibadan.”
@Helena_412 also shared a thread on her X page pleading, “Please I beg you, help if you’re close to the hospital,nothing is too small to do,donate blood to save lives, I beg you.”
The claim that victims receiving treatment had begun to spread across social media, especially on X with users pleading that people closer to UCH should help by donating blood. BusinessDay reported on the story citing @the_beardedsina and @DrOlufunmilayo’s posts as sources confirming the urgent need for blood donors for the victims.
VERIFICATION
In the aftermath of the explosion, The State Commissioner of Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi who spoke to journalists has debunked the claim.
During the press interaction, she confirmed that the victims were currently receiving treatment in the hospital but none needed blood transfusion.
While confirming that some of the victims had head injuries, she said, “they did not undergo blood transfusion, and the necessary medical procedures were being carried out to determine the next steps in their treatment.”
Ajetumobi reiterated that, “For all the victims, I have not seen or heard of any of them needing blood transfusion. We moved around yesterday, some had head injuries but were not transfused. They only asked them to do some images which they are going to know the next line of action as far as the treatment is concerned. “No news of people running helter skelter for blood donation.”
The commissioner assured the public that if blood transfusion becomes necessary, blood banks are available, including the National Blood Transfusion Service. She emphasized that, as of now, there is no situation prompting people to scramble for blood donation.
The State Governor, Seyi Makinde had previously disclosed that out of the 77 victims of the Ibadan explosion, 60 have already been treated and discharged. The explosion incident resulted in casualties, injuries, and significant property damage in parts of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
CONCLUSION
The claim that victims of the Ibadan explosion urgently need blood donation for transfusion is FALSE.
