The MTN Ghana Foundation has organized its 15th annual blood donation exercise to mark this year’s Valentine’s Day, under the theme “Save a Life Campaign.”
The nationwide initiative, which supports the country’s healthcare system, has so far collected a total of 26,620 units of blood over the past 15 years.
This year’s exercise in the Northern Region took place at Tamale Senior High School (Tamasco) and Tamale Islamic Senior High School, with hundreds of students turning up to donate.
Speaking to the media, Richard Asamane, Territory Sales Controller of MTN Ghana, said the exercise has become a vital annual contribution to the National Blood Bank.
“It’s been 15 years since we started the annual blood donation exercise in support of the National Blood Bank. Every year, we do it on the 14th of February, now dubbed the Save a Life campaign,” he said.
“The most effective way to supply regional blood banks and support the healthcare delivery system is through mass blood donation.
Together, over the past 15 years, we have collected 26,620 units of blood nationwide.”
Mr. Asamane noted that the exercise is especially timely as the Muslim community prepares for the Ramadan fasting period, a time when blood donations decline.
“As we move into Ramadan, the regional blood bank is always in dire need of blood.
These exercises have always be
en timely and very helpful, especially when working donors reduce during the fasting period,” he added.
At the Tamale Teaching Hospital, the Chief Blood Donor Organizer described blood as the “lifeline” of both the hospital and the blood bank. He said the donation comes at a crucial time, as the fasting season often records high shortages.
“For the past three years, the exercise has coincided with the fasting period, during which we record the highest shortages. This donation will cushion the bank and reduce the pressure.
We need more blood because we have pregnant women, accident victims, and children who require urgent transfusion.”
He appealed to organizations and benevolent groups to emulate MTN’s example, stressing that “one pint of blood can save two or even three lives, especially babies.”
Some students who participated in the exercise expressed joy, saying donating blood would help save lives and could benefit them as well in the future.
At the end of the programme, the units collected were as follows:
• Tamasco – 273 units
• Tamale Islamic SHS – 200 units
• Bimbilla SHS – 116 units
Source:Fiilafmonline/Walkiyatu Issahaku
