Captain Yaw Kissiedu, Laboratory Technician at the 7 Medical Reception Station (7MRS) of the 66 Artillery Regiment has said testing positive for HIV was not the only reason for the disqualification of donors during blood donation exercises.

He said people with low blood levels, lung diseases, chronic alcoholism, hepatitis B and C, and weight loss could be disqualified from donating blood and not that they had HIV and cautioned the public against discrimination. Captain Kissiedu said this at a blood donation exercise by officers and men of the 66 Artillery Regiment at the Volta Regional Hospital to mark the Regiment’s 53rd anniversary in Ho.

He said due to discrimination and misconception that anyone disqualified from donating blood was living with HIV, people were shying away from donating blood with dire consequences for blood banks.

Captain Kissiedu therefore called for more community engagement and sensitisation to discourage people of discrimination and encourage more to donate blood.

Dr. John Tampuori, Medical Director, Volta Regional Hospital commended the officers and men of the 66 Artillery for helping re-stock the blood bank of the Regional Hospital to save lives.

He said the Hospital would continue to collaborate with the Regiment to bring relief to people and called for support of all.

Lieutenant Colonel Bernard Baba Pantoah, Commanding Officer, 66 Artillery Regiment said blood donation to the Regional Hospital was made an annual event exercise to keep the blood bank alive.