MTN Ghana restocks blood banks of hospitals in Upper East Region

By Anthony Adongo Apubeo, GNA 

Bolgatanga, Feb. 18, GNA – As part of efforts to help save lives and respond effectively to emergencies, MTN Ghana, a leading telecommunications network, has held a blood donation exercise to restock the blood banks of health facilities in the Upper East Region. 

The annual event, conducted nationwide as part of activities marking Valentine’s Day, formed part of the MTN Ghana Foundation’s project dubbed, “Save a Life,” to mobilise blood for healthcare facilities in the region, especially the regional hospital in Bolgatanga. 

The exercise was held at the Bolgatanga Senior High School (Big Boss), Zamse Senior High/Technical School (ZAMSTEC), and the Bolgatanga Technical Institute (BOTECH), to mobilise 400 pints of blood. 

Since 2011, the MTN Ghana Foundation has been collaborating with the Regional Blood Bank to organise blood donation exercises annually to help restock blood banks in health facilities across the country, to save lives and respond effectively to critical and emergency situations. 

Mr Martin Yaw Kumobah, the Upper East Regional Territory Sales Controller of MTN Ghana, said healthcare was one of the key pillars of the company and reiterated its commitment to supporting efforts to provide quality healthcare. 

“February 14 is set aside to show love, and the best gift we can give to our cherished clients and humanity is by donating a pint of blood to save many lives across our hospitals,” he said. 

He noted that the initiative over the years had contributed to saving lives in the region and called on the public to donate blood voluntarily. 

“We have been doing this for over 10 years, and we are open to collaboration. We urge the public and groups to partner with MTN to organise such initiatives to help save lives. 

“In this region, we have recorded many accidents, and without blood in our hospitals, it will be difficult to save lives. The real hero is the one who donates blood to save a life,” he added. 

He also dispelled misconceptions surrounding blood donation, noting that it was harmless and had many health benefits, and encouraged the public to participate. 

Mr Alfred Cudjoe, the Blood Bank Supervisor at the Upper East Regional Hospital, said blood expires within 35 days, stressing the need for frequent donations to help deal effectively with emergencies, particularly surgeries and maternal care cases. 

Some students who participated in the exercise expressed their joy at contributing to saving the lives of people who may need their blood. 

GNA 

Edited by Caesar Abagali/ Christabel Addo