Government urged to include cost of blood processing in NHIS

By
Kodjo Adams / Priscilla Ofori, RNG

Accra, June 12, GNA – Mr. Ken Ashigbey, a
A member of the Ghana Blood Foundation called on the government to include the
blood treatment in the national health insurance scheme to allow
patients have access to blood without any hindrance.

He said that blood was life and that as such it was
imperative for donors to donate blood to help others when needed and save money
lives.

Mr. Ashigbey called Accra at one o'clock
conference to mark World Donor Day on 14 June.

The theme of the conference is "Blood
Donation and universal access to safe blood transfusions as a component of
Achieve Universal Health Coverage ".

Ashigbey called on the government to adopt
the National Blood Law to streamline and promote the efficiency of collection
of blood.

"I'm told that the bill is at the
Health Minister. We call on the minister to start the process
with the approval of Parliament and with the consent of the President to clean up the
system, "he added.

He called for an improvement in
blood regulation to address some of the challenges the system faces.

He suggested to the Ministry of Tourism,
Culture and creative arts to include blood donation in the activities of
festivals and other celebrations to raise awareness of its importance.

Mr. Ashigbey encouraged companies
organizations and institutions to inculcate blood donation as part of their
corporate social responsibility to spark enthusiasm for volunteering
Don.

However, the blood bank service in 2018
witnessed 37% of voluntary donations for a target of 50%.

Countries like Côte d'Ivoire and Benin
100% and 90% of voluntary donations, respectively.

He urged the management of the blood bank
Service will commit to expanding its blood transfusion services to other regions and
not only focus in Accra.

He called on all to get involved and not just
donate blood because of need, but make it voluntary because emergencies
the situation can happen to anyone.

Sophia Lissah, President of the
conference, called on civil societies to step up their advocacy efforts to create
the necessary consciousness and demystify any misconception about blood donation.

She appealed to everyone to make it a personal event
campaign to disseminate information about the need for a voluntary donation to achieve
the target of the country.

GNA