Wala app launched

Over the years, many Ghanaians have had to depend on family, friends and paid volunteers for blood donations. This is sadly due to an inadequate stock of blood in blood banks across the country.To address this challenge, the National Blood Service and BISA have partnered to develop the WALA health App to drive voluntary blood donations.

On Friday the 4th of May, 2018 Wala Health application was launched at the Efua Sutherland Park. The event was graced by the Second Lady of the Republic of Ghana, H.E Samira Bawumia. She encouraged the public to download the application and also to donate blood to help save lives.

Minister of Communications, Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful stated that technology has to have a practical application for our people and the Wala App is a practical application for the people and the government is ready to support practical app developers.

Other dignitaries available at the launch were The Ministry of health through its representative, and the Mayor of Accra, Mohammed Adjei Sowah.

On the 3rd of August 2017, the National Blood Service Ghana signed an agreement with Bisa, to partner in the development of Wala Health Application. Developed by Raindolf Owusu a Ghanaian based software developer and founder of Oasis Websoft and Dr. Denis Addo a healthcare practitioner. Wala simply means Life in one of the Ghanaian dialects, Ga.

The app basically serves as a platform for blood donation, which provides information on various blood donation events across the country. It also enlightens its users on blood donation and its importance. With other features available its users have access to frequently asked questions, data on blood donations and daily tips on other diseases such as diabetes and stroke. Users can also call the National blood center call center directly from the app.

The mandate according to the National Blood Service Ghana is to ensure an effective and coordinated national approach to the provision of safe, adequate and effective blood and blood donations making it accessible and affordable to all patients. Voluntary blood donations in Ghana currently stands at 36% which is 3.6 over ten donations and also a blood collection inverse per thousand population of 6.1. Which means out of every thousand population only six people donate, which does not meet the blood donation requirement of 270,000 units of blood that is a percent of the population.

Technology has transformed many nations positively and as the world is evolving we must evolve with it. Developed countries have more effective health care systems as a result of the efficient use of technology and as the developing country Ghana is, we have to adapt such methods to improve the healthcare systems. As the number of mobile applications are increasing everyday and people spend more time on their phones, creating an awareness and equally providing an effective means to ensure blood donations as an application can help meet the requirements of the blood service as more individuals donate blood to save lives.

During the launch of the application there was free health screening and also blood donations. Let us accept voluntary blood donation as a civic responsibility. Together we can achieve the WHO target of 100% voluntary donation by 2020. Wala, Get Empowered To Save A Life Today. Go to their website for more.