According to the 2022 Performance Assessment Report of the National Blood Service (NBS), the national blood bank only received 169,435 units of blood, much fewer than the yearly stock need of 330,000 units.
According to the research, 24% of the total was donated freely, with family replacements making up the balance.
In fact, there was a dip in the 2021 statistics, which had improved following the COVID-19 pandemic-related decline in the year prior.
The number of blood units collected rose from 156,453 in 2020 to 173,938 in 2021 before falling in 2022.
The scenario may have major effects on emergency treatment and healthcare delivery, according to the Ministry of Health and the National Blood Service.
Examining performance
Tina Mensah, a deputy minister of health, tasked the NBS with coming up with creative strategies to expand its pool of willing blood donors to enhance health outcomes at yesterday's annual performance assessment in Accra.
To assess the performance for 2022, the meeting gathered together important blood services, collection, distribution, and usage stakeholders.
She also added a fee to the service to guarantee that any blood collected was donated willingly in full.
She asserted that raising voluntary blood donations was a more long-term strategy for assuring year-round availability.
A significant issue that daily impacts thousands of individuals in several healthcare institutions around the nation is the need for greater availability of safe blood and blood products for healthcare delivery.
She suggested that efforts be made to safeguard willing donors and guarantee patient safety in case of emergency.
greater purpose
Dr. Shirley Owusu-Ofori, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NBS, urged partners and stakeholders to make a commitment to working together to realize the wider objective of 100% voluntary, unpaid blood donation.
She invited linked health organizations and institutions to think about assisting the blood service to encourage voluntarily giving blood.
According to her, this will foster a culture of voluntary blood donation among the general people.
She said that among other things, the blood service was limited by insufficient logistics, necessary equipment, and funding.
Dr. Owusu-Ofori asked stakeholders, the allied health sector, and the Ministry of Health to promote routine blood tests. She also praised the NBS management and personnel for maintaining a consistent, secure blood supply to patients, institutions, and hospitals despite the difficulties.
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