For many who see blood donation as a never-to-do task, an official with the national blood service says there is more to lose for such people.

Akosoa Brefoa, a blood donor organizer with the National Blood Service, Korle Bu told Myjoyonline.com persons who fail to regularly donate blood are losing out on the opportunity to have their own medical screening, at least four times in year. 

She said through such screening, the Service is able to detect which ailment the donor is suffering from and an appropriate solution found, but the same cannot be said for persons who do not donate blood but who may be suffering from some diseases which need urgent attention.

"Once you become a donor you are likely to have medical screening every four months.  Every person can donate three times in a year. You can have a periodic medical checkup. If you screen your medical standards three times in a year you are safe" she said.

In addition to screening your own medical situation within  a given year, you also save life by donating a blood, she added.

She was speaking at the blood donation exercise organised Sunday by the Restoration Temple of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) Osu.

At least 47 pints of blood were donated shortly after church by members, some of whom have been recognized as official donors.

Akosua Brefoa said the Service is encouraging voluntary donation as against the replacement donation which many families have become used to.

She said with the replacement donation,  it is difficult during emergency situations to properly screen the blood before it is supplied to the patient but with the voluntary donation there is more time for the blood to be screened.

The blood organizer said the blood bank has limited stock and hoped the donations from the Osu Restoration Temple and other voluntary donations will shore up its limited stock.

Head of events at the Osu Restoration Temple, Deacon Nathaniel Lamptey said the church recognized blood donation as one key social responsibility to help the community.

"We feel that we have to contribute to the well being of the church members as well as the society in which live in and we know that blood is one key issue when it comes to health at the hospitals.

'So we planned and realised that if we are able to come up with such an event each year to at least feed the blood bank with certain number of pints, we will be carrying out our corporate social responsibility in the church," he said.

Among the donors were the head pastor of the Osu ICGC, Rev Ashford Tawiah Smith, Deacons and members of the Church.