There is a looming blood shortage in Ghana due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The situation is said to be the same in most countries particularly Africa.
The National Blood Service, Ghana, says blood donation has seized posing danger to the imminent shortage.
It is, therefore, encouraging Ghanaians to voluntarily visit any blood bank to donate blood regardless of coronavirus pandemic to avert crisis.
Ghana has still not been able to achieve the 100 percent voluntary blood donation status as required by the World Health Organisation (WHO) albeit increasing demand for blood transfusion.
Statistics from the WHO indicate that only 62 countries globally almost meet 100 percent of their national blood supplies from voluntary unpaid blood donations, with thirty-four others still dependent on family replacement blood donors.
Ms. Tina Mensah, the Deputy Minister of Health has said there was a need for Ghana to do away with family replacement system of blood donation and facilitate efforts to attain the 100 percent voluntary blood donation target set by the WHO to be achieved by the end of 2020.
Government, through the Ministry of Health, has however dragged its feet in facilitating passage the National Blood Service Bill, which seeks to provide the requisite legal framework to accelerate progress towards 100 percent voluntary blood donation.
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Obed Ansah
