Dr. Emmanuel Tsegah, Principal Medical Officer receiving the award on behalf of the College
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Justina K. Ansah, CEO of the National Blood Service Ghana, in her welcome address mentioned that the theme for this year’s World Blood Donor Day was: “Blood Donation & Universal Access to Safe Blood Transfusion as a Component of Achieving Universal Health Coverage.” According to her, the reason for the theme was to ensure that all people in Ghana will be able to access safe blood as and when needed. She also appealed to the media to propagate the messages and make citizens understand the need to donate blood voluntarily to the Blood Bank.
Dr. Justina K. Ansah, CEO, National Blood Service, Ghana
The Guest Speaker for the event, Dr. Owen Laws Kaluwa, WHO Country Representative in Ghana commended the management and staff of the National Blood Service for their efforts to ensure people voluntarily donate safe blood to others in need to survive. He urged all health institutions in the country to rally behind this project and support blood donation programmes.
Dr. Owen Laws Kaluwa, WHO Representative to Ghana
The Deputy Minister of Health, Hon. Tina Mensah announced that her Ministry had reviewed and submitted a National Blood Bill to Cabinet for consideration and approval. She added that as a sign of commitment to the National Blood Supply Strengthening Programme (NBSSP), all agencies of the Ministry have been directed to have blood donation exercises as part of their annual plan of activities.
Hon. Tina Mensah, Deputy Minister of Health
Citations were given to some institutions that organised voluntary blood donation exercises. They included the University of Ghana’s College of Health Sciences, Presbyterian Church, Mamprobi, Seventh Day Congregation of Theocracy, Mount Olivet Methodist Church, Dansoman, Ghana Institute of Journalism, Ada College of Education, Achimota Senior High School, St. John’s Grammar, Osudoku Senior High School, Ghanatta Senior High School and Ada Senior High School.
The World Blood Donor Day is an annual event celebrated to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products. It is also used to express appreciation to blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood.
