The country needs more voluntary blood donors to make up for the shortfall in blood supply in all health facilities serving people from different corners.

That’s according to the Public Relations Officer of the National Blood Service, Ghana, Mr. Stephen Addai.

He made the call during a voluntary blood drive organised by the Miss Ghana Foundation to improve the collection of safe blood in the country.

The event brought together hundreds of people including the 2015 contestants of the Miss Ghana pageant who expressed their delight at supporting blood donation projects in the country.

Mr. Addai said the event was part of a series of drives lined up for the grand annual celebration of the National Blood Donor Day on 30^th November, 2015.

At least 10 whole blood units per 1,000 population are needed annually in Ghana to attend to blood related emergencies such as accidents and haemorrhage in pregnant women.

Currently, the National Blood Service is only able to collect a little of 50 per cent of its annual requirement.

But Mr. Addai said the situation can improve with greater sensitisation and education.

“For us, every life is essential and there is no better way to show love than to share part of your life with another person. People are gradually getting to know the importance of voluntary blood donation but I know that a lot more work needs to be done to mobilise both individual and corporate support for the efforts of the blood bank.”

Mr. Addai expressed the NBSG’s gratitude to the Miss Ghana Foundation, MamaYe Campaign, the Graphic Communications Group Ltd and other organisations for supporting the national drive toward improved supply of safe blood.

He called on media organisations to use their platforms to educate the public about blood donation and its contribution to life, especially maternal survival.

In a related development, the blood bank in partnership with the MamaYe Campaign joined the congregation of the International Central Gospel Church Paradise Temple in Dome Pillar 2 for another blood donation exercise last weekend.

Members of the congregation were in buoyant mood as their Sunday service became a fiesta for safe blood donation.