The Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS) has demanded a governing board for the National Blood Service (NBS) with immediate effect.

In a statement issued by the Association on Monday, it said the move will “give life” to the National Blood Service Act 2020 (Act 1042).

Prior to his clarion call, GAMLS says it has studied the JoyNews and Corruption Watch investigation piece on the illegal collection of fees for blood supply by a syndicate operating within the National Blood Service and the subsequent response by NBS.

And after extensive consultation, “the professional body could not agree better on any immediate solution than to demand for a governing board which has been absent for almost two years after the law was enacted.”

The Monday statement further highlighted that the Service was riddled with numerous challenges when it operated with a policy, hence the need for the Act.

But with no governing board to see to the materialisation of the law, the problems are still prevalent.

GAMLs, therefore called on the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, to, as a matter of urgency, finalise processes to set up and commission a governing board for the National Blood Service ACT 2020 (ACT 1042).

“Safe blood in our hospitals cannot be a gamble anymore. The time to act is now. Voluntary blood donation is the answer, and GA/AILS urges the public to keep helping. Blood is not Sold,” GAMLS was categorical.