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  LifeBank is a Nigerian health-tech company dedicated to saving lives through its tech-driven logistics and supply chain. Since its inception, LifeBank has revolutionized the way critical medical supplies such as blood, oxygen, and vaccines, are delivered to hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country, thus, addressing the perennial challenges of logistics, supply shortages, and accessibility.
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This post highlights some of the works of LifeBank and how it is making a significant impact on healthcare in Nigeria.

The Genesis of LifeBank

Founded in January 2016, LifeBank was born out of its founder – Temie Giwa-Tubosun’s personal experience and a strong conviction that Africa deserves access to quality healthcare. Before founding the company, Temie had an extensive background in healthcare and development. In 2009, after her first year in graduate school, she returned to Nigeria to intern for the Department for International Development (DFID). During this internship, she encountered a mother named Aisha, whose protracted labour highlighted the dire problem of maternal mortality in Nigeria. This experience profoundly impacted Giwa-Tubosun and cemented her resolve to improve healthcare delivery in Nigeria. Following this, she pursued a graduate fellowship at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, which lasted until July 2010. After her fellowship, she worked briefly at Fairview Health Services in Minnesota before embarking on a fellowship with the Global Health Corps. This took her to Mbarara, Uganda, where she worked with the Millennium Villages Project, a UNDP initiative. Her diverse experiences in healthcare and development culminated in the founding of LifeBank, driven by her passion for saving lives and improving healthcare systems.  The startup began by focusing on the critical need for blood in hospitals. It operates an intuitive platform that connects blood banks with hospitals in need, ensuring that life-saving blood reaches patients swiftly and safely.

Revolutionizing Blood Supply

LifeBank’s primary service involves an efficient system for blood donation and delivery. The process starts with the LifeBank app, where individuals can book appointments to donate blood at the nearest blood bank. After donation, the blood is transported to a central location for screening by authorities, ensuring it is safe for transfusion. Once cleared, the blood is stored in optimal conditions by the blood bank until it is needed. Lifebank has partnerships with these blood banks and updates its database continually for hospitals and other health facilities in need of blood. When a hospital orders blood through the LifeBank app, the logistics team springs into action. They use a cool chain system to maintain the blood at the required temperature during transit. This system includes Bluetooth-padlocked boxes that ensure only the intended recipient can access the blood, maintaining security and safety throughout the delivery process​ LifeBank’s journey began with a mission to tackle the scarcity of blood in Nigerian hospitals. Recognizing that timely access to safe blood can be the difference between life and death, LifeBank developed an innovative platform that connects blood banks to hospitals in real-time. By using a combination of geolocation and a robust database, LifeBank ensures that hospitals can source the blood they need quickly and efficiently. This not only saves lives but also reduces the time and resources spent on locating and transporting blood.
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Expanding to Oxygen Supply and Other Medical Supply

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, LifeBank expanded its services to include the supply of medical oxygen, another critical resource in healthcare. The company launched AirCo, an oxygen plant in Nasarawa State, aimed at addressing the frequent oxygen shortages in Nigerian hospitals. By utilizing tech-driven solutions, LifeBank can produce and distribute oxygen efficiently, ensuring hospitals have a reliable supply to treat patients in need. LifeBank’s impact extends beyond blood and oxygen. The company also ensures the availability of essential medical supplies, including vaccines, medicines, and other consumables.

Technology and Data-Driven Solutions

At the foundation of LifeBank’s operations is its innovative use of technology and data. The company has developed a mobile app that allows healthcare providers to place orders for medical supplies, track deliveries in real time, and receive notifications on the status of their requests. This transparency and efficiency reduce the likelihood of stockouts and ensure that medical supplies reach their destinations promptly. Moreover, LifeBank’s data-driven approach helps in forecasting demand, managing inventory, and optimizing delivery routes. By analyzing patterns and trends, LifeBank can anticipate needs and adjust its operations accordingly, ensuring a steady supply of critical medical resources.

Impact and Reach

LifeBank’s contributions to the Nigerian healthcare system are profound. LifeBank has facilitated over 22,903 trips, delivering more than 48,000 units of blood and other medical products blood to over 170 hospitals. This effort has resulted in saving the lives of over 22,830 mothers, babies, and other vulnerable individuals. The platform also encourages more Nigerians to donate blood, contributing to a more robust and reliable blood supply system in the country​. The company’s model has gained recognition and support from various stakeholders, including government agencies, non-profits, and international organizations. This collaborative approach amplifies LifeBank’s impact and paves the way for scaling its solutions to other regions and countries facing similar healthcare challenges.
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Concluding Thoughts

By bridging the gap between supply and demand for essential medical products, LifeBank has enhanced the capacity of healthcare facilities to provide timely and effective care. This has not only saved lives but also improved the overall health outcomes for communities across Nigeria.
Got a suggestion? Contact us: editor@connectnigeria.com

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This article was first published on 16th August 2024

victor-ifegwu-mbonu

Ifegwu-Mbonu Victor is a Personal Growth and Leadership Trainer who provides training and coaching to individuals and organizations.


Comments (1)

One thought on “How LifeBank is Saving Lives with Technology in Nigeria”


  • LifeBank is a Nigerian health-tech company that serves its duty to save lives to reach on time. Their riders reached on time at the exact location and provided medical facilities.

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