The Principal Blood Coordinator of the National Blood Service, Mr. Stephen Danso, has appealed to Faith Based Organizations (FBO) to encourage members to donate blood, to replenish the country’s dwindling national stock.
Speaking to The Independent Newspaper via phone interview, Mr. Danso said the National Blood Service could set up at the premises of closed places of worship, while adhering to social distancing and other obligatory protocols in connection with COVID-19.
Mr. Stephen Danso admitted, in the wake of the global pandemic, the blood bank has been hard hit and the sooner restocking is done, the better it will be for the country.
The Principal Coordinator said to restock, the National Blood Service had identified some public spaces which includes the forecourt of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), Kasoa and Achimota, in its Southern Area. He said their movable blood donation trailer could be positioned in these areas to enable people donate voluntarily.
Speaking on the current arrangement in Tema, Mr. Danso noted, the National Blood Service got the permission of Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Felix Mensah Nii Anang, to position the Blood trailer at the Assembly premises every Tuesday and Thursday. This has made it possible for residents of Tema, Ashaiman and immediate environs to freely donate blood.
He said on the average, his outfit collects between 10 and 50 pints of blood in Tema on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the TMA forecourt.
When The Independent asked him who qualifies to donate blood, he said, persons must have a body weight of 50kg and above, must be between the ages of 17 and 60 years, must not be pregnant, sick or be a convalescent. He also indicated, donated blood samples are tested for various diseases to enhance public safety.
Source: theindependentghana.com | Anita Odei-Osafo
