Government to revamp blood transfusion centres

Accra, Nov. 20 GNA - Dr Mrs Gladys Norley Ashitey, Deputy Minister of Health, on Monday announced that the Government was collaborating with the African Development Fund and Nordic Fund through the Health Services Rehabilitation Project Component II to revamp all the Blood Transfusion Centres across the country.

She said the Ministry was embarking on a new paradigm, which promoted healthy lifestyles and eradication of diseases rather than seeking curative measures.

Dr Ashitey was speaking at the launching of the annual blood donation campaign and the 7th National Blood Donors Day in Accra. The theme for this year's campaign is: "The Youth in blood donation, crucial partners in saving lives; donate now." Dr Ashitey commended the gallant voluntary non-remunerated blood donors, whose humanitarian activities were the source of joy for many people, who might have died by now.

She said the country needed about 360,000 voluntary blood donors annually to provide safe blood for patients in the hospitals. "We can achieve these targets if we all put our shoulders to the wheel since blood safety, availability and affordability is the concern of all", she said.

She said it was not true that regular donation of blood weakened the donor or led to impotency or hastened his/her ageing process. Dr Ashitey said in a developing country like Ghana, 50 per cent of the blood supply came from voluntary non-remunerated blood donors, which according to her did not help in the fight against the spread of the HIV/AIDS since blood transfusion was a major mode for the transmission of the HIV virus.

She cited instances in 2004 and 2005 where voluntary blood donations instead of going up dropped from 42 per cent to 36.4 per cent. She said to correct the downward trend in voluntary blood donation, the country needed to give priority to building up low-risk population groups as well as convert family replacement donors to voluntary non-remunerated donors.

Dr Ashitey called for programmes such as sex education campaign and support for health promotion activities to become part of a long-term strategy to establish a base of safe blood donors.

Dr Justina Ansah, Head of the National Blood Transfusion Services, said about 80 per cent of donated blood collected nationwide was obtained from the youth especially those in the educational institutions, religious organisations and organised community groups throughout the country.

She called for the motivation of the youth to enrol into the blood donation register by incorporating interest-boosting activities into the blood donation education, recruitment and retention strategies. Dr Ansah also said the Government's commitment and support was essential for the success of the National Blood Donor Programme, adding that full legal backing with regard to blood donor activities would make it easier for them to achieve their set targets.

National and regional awards were presented to voluntary donors, who had donated blood to National Blood Bank to save lives. Mr Robert Addy, who works with the Ghana International Airlines, was adjudged the highest national donor, and received a double door refrigerator for his prize; whiles Mr Robert Ayivor and Eric Kpobitey were presented with 21-inch colour television set and gas cooker for placing second and third, respectively.