Mr Kwasi Kwarteng, the Brong-Ahafo Territory Sales Controller of MTN, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, appealed to the public to cultivate the habit of donating blood to save lives.

 

He said the exercise, organised in collaboration with the Sunyani Regional Hospital, targeted 500 pints but 90 per cent was achieved.

 

The MTN Ghana Foundation, for the past eight years, had generated over 6,000 pints of blood to support the Hospital and the National Blood Banks.

 

Mr Kwarteng stated that the exercise was always scheduled for the Valentines Day to enable Ghanaians to demonstrate their love through blood donation to stock the various banks.

 

Mr Caniwu Abdulai, the Head of the Sunyani Regional Hospital Blood Bank, said blood supply had been a major problem at the Hospital as there was always a gap to fill.

 

He said such donation programmes needed to be organised all the time, with support from other institutions, to ensure the availability of blood in the hospitals.

 

He said the Hospital required at least 20 pints a day for emergency cases, especially for pregnant women and accident victims.

 

Madam Naomi Misah, a third time donor, said she participated in the exercise because it saddened her to see people die due to shortage of blood.

 

She entreated all healthy Ghanaians to always take part in such exercises since “donating blood does not kill”.

 

GNA