Donating blood not only saves lives but also provides significant health benefits to the donors, Miss Rita Justine Menorkpor, a blood donor recruiter at the National Blood Service, has stated.
She urged citizens to see blood donation as both a vital act of service to others and an important part of personal health care.
Ms. Menorkpor made these remarks during a blood donation and health screening exercise organized by the Covenant Family Community Church (CFC) over the weekend in Accra.
Speaking about the critical role of blood in healthcare, she emphasized that blood was as essential as medicine in hospitals, where it is used in various medical treatments, surgeries, and emergencies.
“While some patients are taking blood, others are taking medication…That’s blood medicine,” she said, and encouraged more people to donate blood to meet the rising demand in healthcare facilities like the Korle Bu Blood Bank.
“The demand for blood exceeds the number of donors. That’s why we often hear of shortages. By donating, you contribute to saving countless lives.”
Ms. Menorkpor said the donation process and routine checks ups helped donors to gain valuable insights into their health by revealing their blood type and blood pressure levels.
She noted that this could be lifesaving for individuals who may be unaware of underlying conditions like high or low blood pressure.
“Through blood donation, you get to know your vitals, which helps you to make informed decisions about your health and early detection of such conditions can lead to timely interventions,” she said.
According to Ms. Menorkpor, blood donation positively influences the body’s natural processes by stimulating it to continually produce new blood and eliminate old or waste cells.
She explained that this natural replenishment helps improve overall circulatory health and could contribute to better immune system function.
“Blood donation aids this process by reducing the body’s workload, allowing for the production of fresh and healthy blood cells. It’s like a water reservoir. When you use the water and refill, it stays fresh. Similarly, donating blood helps keep your body rejuvenated,” she illustrated.
Ms. Menorkpor also said that regular donors enjoyed added benefits such as priority access to blood for their relatives in emergencies.
“After donating blood for at least five times, donors are eligible to access blood for free in emergencies, provided it is available. This underscores the reciprocal nature of blood donation,” she added.
Ms. Menorkpor said individuals could donate blood every four months, which translated to two or three donations a year.
She encouraged event organisers to incorporate donation drives into their programmes and assured them that the Service was ready to participate in such initiatives regardless of location.
“We can collect blood at your church events, birthday parties, or any gathering. The distance is not an issue,” she affirmed.
Dr Joel Arhin, a Medical Officer at the Bank Hospital, stressed the need for increased blood donations, explaining that blood cannot be manufactured and relied solely on voluntary contributions.
“Imagine needing blood for a loved one and finding the bank empty. It’s a harsh reality, but together we can prevent it,” he said.
DR Arhin also said conditions like hypertension and diabetes often went unnoticed without routine checks, hence the need for health screenings to prevent and manage diseases.
“Many people walk around with dangerously high blood pressure, feeling completely fine, until complications occur. Regular health screenings can identify these conditions early,” he explained.
Dr Arhin said that health screenings included checks for blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and body mass index (BMI).
These assessments provide a comprehensive overview of an individual’s risk for cardiovascular diseases and other health conditions.
He recommended that even healthy individuals undergo screenings at least once or twice a year to stay on top of their health status and catch potential issues early.
