The Head of the Transfusion Medicine Unit at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Dr. Lesley Osei, has commended MTN Ghana for its sustained commitment to voluntary blood donation, describing the initiative as critical to safeguarding lives and strengthening emergency healthcare delivery.
Speaking during a Valentine’s Day blood donation exercise organized by MTN Ghana at Kumasi Anglican Secondary School (KASS) in Kumasi, Dr. Osei emphasized the urgent need for consistent blood supplies to meet both routine and emergency medical demands.
“Our goal is to ensure blood is always available at KATH, so we do not have to make urgent appeals during accidents,” she stated.
Dr. Osei explained that maintaining an adequate blood reserve remains one of the most pressing challenges for major referral hospitals across the country. According to her, accidents, maternal health emergencies, surgical procedures, and other critical conditions require immediate access to safe blood, making regular voluntary donations indispensable.
She noted that corporate-led initiatives such as MTN Ghana’s annual Valentine’s blood drive play a pivotal role in stabilizing the blood bank and reducing the frequency of public appeals for donors during crises.The exercise at Kumasi Anglican Secondary School attracted a strong turnout of student donors, who were screened by medical professionals before donating blood. The collected units will support patients at KATH and other health facilities, including remote hospitals served through medical supply networks.
Dr. Osei further underscored the importance of youth participation in blood donation campaigns, describing young people as a dependable and healthy donor population capable of sustaining the national blood supply if properly mobilized and educated.
She reiterated that voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation remains the safest and most reliable source of blood worldwide. Increasing voluntary donations, she said, is essential to improving Ghana’s blood collection index and meeting international health benchmarks.
MTN Ghana has, for more than 15 years, partnered with KATH and other stakeholders to organize nationwide blood donation exercises as part of its Valentine’s Day activities. The initiative forms part of the MTN Ghana Foundation’s flagship “Save A Life” campaign under its health support pillar.
Dr. Osei concluded by encouraging individuals, institutions, and corporate organizations to emulate such initiatives, stressing that donating blood is one of the simplest yet most powerful acts of humanity.
“Every unit of blood donated represents hope for a patient in need,” she said. “Ensuring that blood is readily available is a shared responsibility, and together we can save more lives.”
