The management of the Koforidua Technical University has called on the public, non-governmental organizations and civil society organisations to voluntarily donate blood and organize blood donation exercises on a regular basis.
According to the University, a lot of deaths recorded at various hospitals and health centres attributed to shortage of blood will be avoided if blood is donated regularly to the blood bank.
The Vice-Chancellor of the Koforidua Technical University, Professor Mrs Smile Dzisi, made the call in an interview with Citi News on the sidelines of a blood donation exercises organized by the institution in collaboration with the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Effiduase.
“We believe it is high time the general public and private and public institutions cultivate the habit of voluntary donating blood. We have realized that blood donation has been left for only a few individuals in the country which is very unfortunate.”
“A lot of the deaths we record in various hospitals can be a thing of the past if organisation take up the task of regularly organizing blood donation exercises. The issues of maternal deaths which are sometimes largely attributed to blood shortage will be addressed if we are able to stock up our blood banks.”
Professor Mrs Smile Dzisi also diffused perceptions and stigmas associated with blood donation and encouraged the youth to be ambassadors of blood donation.
“There is this notion that people do not want to accept blood from others and others also have different views on blood donation but I want to urge the general public to rest assured that any blood given to patients are duly screened by professional laboratory technicians who take a lot of time taking the blood through vigorous examinations before they are given out.”
“So we are encouraging the youth especially to be ambassadors of blood donation. We want them to propagate the good news and let everyone know that a blood donated today can save your own life tomorrow,” she added.
