By J.K Nabary
Winndba (C/R), Feb. 17, GNA – The MTN Ghana Foundation in partnership with the Trauma and Specialist Hospital and University of Education North Campus has organised blood donation exercise to mark its fourteenth year of existence in the country and Valentine’s Day celebration.
The exercise under the theme: “Safe Blood Saves Lives,” took place at the Winneba National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) and the University of Education (UEW), North Campus in the Effutu Municipality.
The students and some voluntary donors were taken through a health checklist, including age, blood level, and weight to ensure the safety of their health before donation, after which they were provided with milk, milo, and other food items to replenish their blood.
Mr Prince Owusu Nyarko, MTN Ghana Western and Central Manager in an interview with the media, stated that blood donation was a benevolent act of solidarity and hope.
The Foundation, thus, decided to help restock blood banks in the country and as part of its cooperate services, initially starting with MTN staff and later extending it to all in the society because blood, an essential commodity, was needed in hospitals to helps accident victims, patients who needed surgeries, expectant mothers and many more.
He said the day of love (Valentine) was chosen to undertake that exercise and this year it was done at 42 breeding centres in all the 16 regions of the country with the target to collect 6100 units of blood and was optimistic of reaching the target to save lives.
Some of the students and volunteers at the two centers, told the GNA that they panicked initially, but after going through the processes, realised that it was not painful or scary and encouraged others to avail themselves at hospitals to donate blood to help save lives.
GNA