Shortage of Blood in Saema

The lack of blood at the Effua Nkwanta, Takoradi, Kwasimintsim and Essikadu hospitals blood banks, is seriously affecting health care delivery within the Shama Ahanta East Metropolitan Area of the Western Region.

Dr Sylvester Anemana, Western Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service has told pressmen at a media briefing in Sekondi.

He said women and children are the most affected since many pregnant women and children with malaria need blood transfusion to support them to recover quickly.

Dr Amenana said apathy on the pat of blood donors, has contributed to the situation as well as increasing cases of HIV/AIDS.

He therefore, called on blood donors to voluntarily visit any hospital and donate to save lives.

Dr Amenana said tests carried out before blood transfusions were not mainly meant to check for HIV/AIDS but to determine the suitability of the donor's blood and assured the public that they have nothing to fear when donating blood to any hospital.

He reminded Ghanaians that the hospitals cannot function effectively without blood and urged churches, schools and voluntary organisations to encourage their members to freely give blood for the good of all.

Dr Amenama reminded Ghanaians that the lack of physical exercise coupled with improper blood circulation affected health and called on all to frequently exercise, eat balanced diets and avoid unhealthy lifestyles.

He disclosed that a community nursing school would be established at Sefwi Wiawso before the end of this year and more community health nurses, would be admitted into the school, to make health care delivery accessible to Dr Sylvester Amemana said to contain the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the Ghana Health Service is working out contingency plans to avoid the spread of the disease.

He said the Customs Excise and Preventive Service and Immigration Service, have been tasked to intensify their activities at the Elubo, Oseikojokrom border and Takoradi harbour, to scrutinise the passports of travelers into the country to identify travelers from Far East within the past few weeks.

Such persons if found, would be quarantined for some days to ensure that they do not have the SARS virus.