Good numbers turned up for MTN’s Valentine’s Day Blood donation Exercise held across the country as part of the company’s responsiveness to the healthcare needs of patients requiring emergency blood transfusion to survive.
Speaking to Ultimate News in Kumasi, MTN’s General Manager Sales in charge of the Northern Sector Nii Adotey Mingle pointed out that the company laid particular emphasis on the blood donation exercises observing that blood banks receive a minimal 36% of total demand from voluntary donors.
He indicated that since the year 2011 MTN has championed the donation of some 2600 units of blood through such events with this year’s target set at 6000 units.
“Our motivation is to help improve healthcare delivery in Ghana. What they get from voluntary donors is just about 36% so there is a gap that we come in to fill.”
“There are 37 blood donation centers across the country with the northern sector alone having 23 centers. We have a target of 6000 units but we are stretching to get 7000 pints to stock the Komfo Anokye Blood bank so there will be enough to save lives,” he noted.
At one of the units set up at the Prempeh College Senior High School, students, teachers and staff of MTN lined up in their numbers to go through the processes aimed at beefing up blood stocks of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Blood Bank.
Nii Adotey Mingle noted that the choice of the Senior High School was hinged on both its central location and a drive to direct the energies of the youth towards positive earns of volunteerism and sacrificing to touch lives.
“Valentine’s day has been bastardized to a certain extent. It’s about love and giving and what better love can you give than donate blood on a valentine’s day to save a life,” he averred.
Appreciation from KATH
Head of the transfusion medicine unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Dr Lesley Osei indicated that the exercise had a far reaching impact on the provision of emergency transfusion to cancer patients, sickle cell patients, accident and trauma patients as well as mothers who bleed excessively during labor.
“Every day Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital alone uses 80 units of blood. We also serve other hospitals including the Zipline Drone Emergency Medical Delivery Service so it’s crucial that this exercise is bringing in these donors,” she explained.
Health Prefect of Prempeh College Mohammed Mahmud was elated under his administration, students had a better course to show love on Valentine’s Day.
“Here in Prempeh College students would be busy writing letters to their girlfriends on Valentine’s Day but this year we are organizing this blood donation exercise. It’s a way for them to show their love to those in the hospitals,” he commended.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/ Ivan Heathcote – Fumador
