By Jibril Abdul Mumuni
Accra, June 15, GNA – Health experts have raised concern over Ghana’s reliance on family or replacement blood donors, warning that the practice poses a hidden risk to the safety and sustainability of the national blood supply system.
At the 2026 commemoration of World Blood Donor Day in Accra, stakeholders said that while family members often step in during emergencies, overdependence on such donations undermined efforts to build a reliable and safe blood system.
The event, held on the theme “One Drop of Humanity: Give Blood, Save Lives,” formed part of global efforts to recognise blood donors and raise awareness about the importance of safe blood systems.
Dr Shirley Owusu-Ofori, Chief Executive Officer of the National Blood Service (NBS), explained that family or replacement donation occurs when relatives or friends donate blood to replace units used by a patient, often under pressure and at short notice.
This, she said, could compromise both the quality and availability of blood.
The CEO noted that despite progress in blood collection, reliance on non-voluntary donors remained a key challenge to the country’s blood safety goals.
“As a country, we must accelerate our efforts towards achieving 100 per cent voluntary blood donation. Continued reliance on family donors affects both availability and safety,” she said.
She explained that voluntary, unpaid donors are globally recognised as the safest source of blood because they typically donate regularly and were more likely to adhere to strict screening protocols.
According to her, voluntary blood donation ensures a more consistent and predictable supply, unlike replacement donations, which are often irregular and tied to emergencies.
She noted that family donors might feel compelled to donate even when unfit, increasing the risk of transfusion-transmissible infections and compromising patient safety.
As part of efforts to address the challenge, the CEO said the Service was intensifying public education campaigns to encourage regular voluntary donation and dispel myths that discourage participation.
She also highlighted initiatives such as partnerships with schools, faith-based organisations, and corporate institutions to mobilise a broader donor base.
Dr Fiona Braka, the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative, emphasised the need for countries to transition from replacement donation systems towards voluntary donation models to strengthen national health security.
“Safe blood is a cornerstone of resilient health systems, and achieving it requires strong voluntary donation systems supported by communities and institutions,” she said.
Dr Braka added that equitable access to safe blood could not be guaranteed if systems continued to rely on emergency-driven donations rather than planned, routine contributions.
Prof Catherine Segbefia, Chairperson for the occasion, also highlighted the risks associated with inconsistent supply, stressing that hospitals require dependable blood stocks to manage critical cases.
She cited situations involving maternal complications, children with severe anaemia, accident victims, and cancer patients, all of whom depended on timely access to safe blood for survival.
“Behind every unit of blood is a life that could be saved or lost. Ensuring safety and reliability must therefore be a national priority,” she said.
She indicated that reliance on family donors often leads to inequities, where patients without readily available relatives or social networks might face difficulties accessing blood in times of need.
She emphasised that transitioning to a voluntary system would help promote fairness by ensuring that blood is available based on clinical need rather than personal connections.
GNA
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong