Ghana needs 350,000 units of blood annually.
Mr. Felix Appertey, the Blood Donor Recruitment Officer of the Ghana National Blood Service, highlighted that the country’s blood demand is about 350,000 units annually, and due to the inadequate blood supply, several health procedures that require blood transfusions are either stopped or delayed in various health facilities. Speaking at a blood donation and COVID-19 test event, Mr. Appertey stated that the insufficient blood supply poses a severe challenge to Ghana’s healthcare system.
The event, organized by the Southern Zone Research Staff Association (RSA) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), aimed to encourage blood donation and promote preventive healthcare through COVID-19 testing.
Approximately 100 people participated in the event, including Labone Senior High School students, CSIR staff, RSA members, and the media. Last year, Ghana could access a total of 170,000 units of blood consisting of both voluntary blood and family replacement donors, according to Mr. Appertey.
Mr. Appertey expressed his concern that due to insufficient blood supply, the National Blood Service had to ration the blood, giving patients fewer units than needed for their treatments.
Donating blood has enormous health benefits because it helps prevent blood clotting, which can lead to various illnesses, including cancer, and allows excess blood to be released.
Professor Paul Bosu, the Director-General of the CSIR, who also attended the event, emphasized the importance of expressing love by donating blood. He encouraged citizens to donate blood, explaining that the blood donated today could save someone’s life tomorrow, and whoever receives the blood becomes part of the family.
The Ghana National Blood Service is responsible for ensuring a coordinated national approach to providing safe, adequate, and efficacious blood and blood products in Ghana on behalf of the Ministry of Health. The Blood Service’s efforts are crucial to Ghana’s healthcare system, as they help save lives and reduce the mortality rate.