By Prince Acquah
Cape Coast, Feb. 15, GNA – Hundreds of people in the Central Region, including students, on Friday participated in the MTN Ghana Foundation’s annual blood donation exercise held to commemorate Valentine’s Day.
The “Save a Life” blood donation exercise aimed at supporting the National Blood Service and restock regional blood banks, had so far, collected more than 29,000 blood units since 2011.
The Foundation’s target is to collect more than 6,100 units of blood across the country this year alone, the highest since the intervention started.
In the Central Region, the exercise took place at the Winneba Senior High School, Academy of Christ the King in Cape Coast, the University of Cape Coast School of Medical Sciences, Ankaful Nursing Training School, and the North Campus of the University of Education, Winneba.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), thousands of lives are saved each year through blood transfusions.
However, many hospitals and blood banks, especially in Ghana, still grapple with shortage of blood which often leads to several preventable deaths.
Madam Regina Arkaifie, Human Resource Manager, MTN, Southern Ghana, indicated that the blood donation exercise was a demonstration of MTN’s commitment to saving and improving the lives of Ghanaians.
She observed that thousands of lives were lost each year due to the shortage of blood in the various blood banks across the country, a situation which gravely affected the country’s human capital.
“Mass Blood donation exercises have proven to be very successful in responding to this very critical issue in health care delivery,” she said.
“Blood donation helps patients undergoing surgeries, accident victims, pregnant women, and cancer patients. Our hospitals need a constant supply of blood for emergencies and medical crises.
“When we donate blood, it helps to foster a sense of unity and responsibility, encouraging individuals to help others selflessly,” she stressed.
Madam Arkaifie explained that beyond directly stocking the various blood banks, the exercise was also to encourage voluntary blood donation.
She expressed excitement over the positive reception by the country, stating that many people had become more aware of the importance of donating blood.
Touting some other interventions and achievements by the MTN Ghana Foundation, Madam Arkaifie said a blood bank for the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Cape Coast Hospital was constructed and furnished in 2011.
“MTN was adjudged the highest corporate blood donor in 2013, second highest corporate blood donor in 2014 and one of the highest corporate donors in 2015,” she said.
“We hope to contribute significantly to reduce maternal mortality as there is evidence of a direct correlation between the availability of blood and maternal mortality,” she added.
GNA