Koforidua: The MTN Ghana Foundation, in collaboration with the Eastern Regional Blood Bank, successfully organized its annual blood donation exercise, coinciding with the Valentine's Day festivities. The event was held at Manya Krobo Senior High School in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality under the theme 'Safe blood saves lives.'
According to Ghana News Agency, the exercise involved a thorough health screening for student donors, which included checks on age, blood levels, and weight to ensure their safety before donation. After donating, participants were given refreshments, including milk and Milo, to help replenish their blood levels.
Mr. Ransford Gyan, MTN Ghana Sales Manager for Eastern, Volta, and Oti Regions, revealed that the Foundation aimed to engage about 6,000 people in the blood donation exercise across the 16 regions. He emphasized the importance of meeting this target to alleviate the country's blood shortage. Gyan encouraged the public to join this life-saving initiative, highlighting the shift from a staff-only event to one that embraces the wider community.
Ms. Philomina Quayson, Eastern Regional Blood Bank Donor Organizer at the Regional Hospital, reiterated the critical need for blood in hospitals, particularly for patients involved in accidents, surgeries, or those with medical conditions. She urged individuals over 17 years old, who are free from certain health conditions like sickle cell and hypertension, to consider donating blood at government hospitals.
Master Kingsley Nartey, a first-time donor and student of Manya Krobo Senior High School, shared his experience, noting that while initially apprehensive, he found the process to be neither painful nor intimidating.
