Accra: The National Blood Service (NBS) has urged parents to permit their children to participate in school blood donation drives to maintain the national blood supply. A drop in participation in these school initiatives has impacted the collection levels, potentially affecting the availability of blood for hospitals and emergency situations.
According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Rita Justin Manorkpor, a Blood Donor Recruiter at the NBS, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, highlighted this issue during a recent blood donation event held in Dansoman, Accra. She emphasized that schools have historically been significant contributors to blood donations, but rising parental concerns have led to a decline in student participation. Some schools that previously had about 100 donors are now seeing as few as 20.
Madam Manorkpor noted that the involvement of schools is crucial for successful blood donation exercises. With parental apprehensions impacting these efforts, the reduction in donations is disappointing and poses challenges in supplying blood to hospitals and addressing emergencies. She urged the public to donate blood voluntarily to support various patients, including women in labor, accident victims, and cancer patients.
She also addressed misconceptions about blood donation, noting that fears regarding the process, such as concerns about death or excessive blood loss, contribute to the low turnout. She assured that all potential donors undergo thorough screening to ensure their safety and eligibility to donate.
Madam Manorkpor remarked that aside from its life-saving purpose, regular blood donation could offer health benefits to donors who are medically fit. Dr. Makafui Clevor, Assistant Men's Lead at Conquerors Chapel International, echoed the importance of the church's collaboration with the NBS, emphasizing their commitment to helping mitigate critical blood shortages, particularly for pregnant women and severely anemic patients.