Telecommunication giants, MTN Ghana has organised a mega blood donation exercise in Takoradi to help stock the blood bank of Effia Nkwanta Teaching Hospital.
The exercise was supported by staff of the hospital, targeting about 200 students from Takoradi Technical University, Adiembra Senior High School and Ghana Secondary Technical School.[ads4]
The health intervention initiative forms part of the MTN Ghana’s nationwide Valentine’s day ‘save a life campaign’ which has been in existence since 2011 with the objective of supporting the country’s national blood bank.
The Tuesday’s exercise at the three schools also offered students the opportunity to check their blood group and get screened for certain health conditions such as anaemia.
Speaking to Kyfilla.com after the exercise, the regional senior manager of MTN Southwest Business, Prince Owusu Nyarko said the exercise, since its inception in 2011 has yielded over 20,000 units of blood with 6,036 of the units derived from the 2020 campaign alone.
He said MTN Ghana is committed to improving the health delivery in the country hence the introduction of the ‘save a life campaign’ to stock the national blood bank.
Mr Nyarko added that, “this has encouraged voluntary blood donation of MTN staff and other donors since voluntary donations only from 36 percent of the National Blood supply according to the Blood Transfusion Service. We believe this exercise has resulted in a reduction in maternal mortality since loss of blood is one of the leading causes of maternal death.[ads2]
“We believe that the availability of safe blood is critical in health administration and are very glad to have another opportunity to show our customers and all Ghanaians that we are a caring company. Unfortunately, we paused the campaign in 2021 and 2022 due to the Covid 19 Pandemic. However, in light of the pandemic being our new normal and the situation really under control, we have resumed our support to the blood banks in all 16 regions across the nation through our annual blood donation exercise today, 14th February 2023.
He concluded by saying, “although we have had a 2-year break, we are hoping to donate about 4,000 units of blood. Bleeding Centers are GSTS and TTI in Takoradi, Wiawso SHS in Sefwi Wiawso, Sankor SHS in Dixcove, Asuasi Technical Institute and Biriwa NVTI in Cape Coast.To ensure the quality of donor care and the health of blood donors, all donors are given a basic health check and counseling to ensure that they are fit to donate blood. Donors who are deemed unfit and fail to meet the criteria will, in their own interest, not be made to donate blood. Of course, there will be certificates and rewards given to the institution with the highest donors.”
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