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The Head of the Blood Bank at the Sunyani Teaching Hospital, Mr. Enock Gyau, has raised alarm over a severe shortage of blood at the facility, revealing that the blood bank is currently empty and only emergency cases are being treated. Mr. Gyau made this known during a free health screening and blood donation exercise organized by Wan-Hive and KGL. He urged residents of Sunyani and surrounding communities to cultivate the habit of voluntary blood donation, emphasizing its importance in saving lives and supporting critical healthcare delivery. “Our biggest challenge is the lack of voluntary donors,” he stated. “We are appealing to individuals, institutions, churches, and schools to come forward and donate blood. Without regular donations, we continue to face these dangerous shortages, not just here but across many healthcare facilities in the country.” Highlighting the benefits of blood donation, Mr. Gyau explained that donors are thoroughly screened for various health conditions, including key infectious diseases, before giving blood. “Donating every four months not only saves lives but also helps replenish the body with fresh blood, which has its own health benefits,” he added. He also addressed public misconceptions surrounding the alleged sale of blood. “We do not sell blood. What some perceive as a purchase is actually a processing fee that helps cover the cost of screening, storage, and other logistics involved in making the blood safe for transfusion,” he clarified. Mr. Gyau reiterated the urgent need for more volunteers and called on the public to support blood donation drives to help maintain a stable and readily available supply of blood in the region. Story: Nyamebeye Kofi Ansah Sasraku
