By Samira Larbie, GNA
Acrra, June 3, GNA – Health sector stakeholders have been urged to enhance collaboration and accelerate compliance with blood safety regulations to ensure high-quality, safe and effective transfusions across Ghana.
The call was made at a stakeholder engagement on blood safety regulation, “Road to Compliance,” organised by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) with support from the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).
Mr William Addo Mills-Pappoe, Head of Clinical Laboratory Services, representing the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), said the Service remained committed to initiatives aimed at improving blood safety nationwide.
“Ghana Health Service has been part of the journey that has led to the transformation of blood services in Ghana, and we remain committed to ensuring the success of future reforms and interventions,” he said.
Dr Angela Ackon, speaking on behalf of the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative, commended Ghana’s regulatory reforms and emphasised the need for a functional hemovigilance system to monitor, detect and prevent adverse transfusion events.
“The blood we collect must be safe, sufficient and accessible to every patient who needs it,” she said, adding that WHO would continue to provide technical support to strengthen Ghana’s blood safety systems.
Dr Jens Reinhardt, Head of the BloodTrain Project, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, noted progress including the establishment of blood collection centres, alignment with FDA standards, piloting of hemovigilance systems and capacity building.
He highlighted challenges such as inadequate donor infrastructure, incomplete documentation, cold chain management issues and limited post-market surveillance.
“Compliance is not merely a regulatory requirement; it is a public health obligation that protects donors, recipients and the integrity of our healthcare system,” Dr Reinhardt said, welcoming the FDA’s initiative.
A representative of the National Petroleum Authority expressed support for the FDA’s regulatory oversight, describing blood as an essential biological product requiring strict safety standards.
Dr Shirley Owusu-Ofori, Chief Executive Officer of the National Blood Service (NBS), said blood safety depended on public trust and collective stakeholder commitment.
“Blood safety is only possible when all stakeholders agree on a common direction and work together to uphold the highest standards,” she said, recalling progress since the NBS first engaged the FDA on blood regulation in 2015.
Dr Owusu-Ofori urged regulators, healthcare providers, development partners and the public to embrace compliance, vigilance and voluntary blood donation to safeguard lives and strengthen national health security.
Stakeholders agreed that achieving a safe, sustainable and internationally compliant blood system would require ongoing collaboration, investment in hemovigilance, stronger regulatory enforcement and increased public participation in blood donation programmes.
“Safe blood saves lives, and ensuring its safety is a shared responsibility that demands action from every Ghanaian,” a participant emphasised.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Samira Larbie