The Samuel Amo Tobbin (SAT) Foundation has organised its third annual blood donation exercise and health screening for the public.
The exercise was which held at the premises of the Atinka Media Village (AMV), was aimed at supporting the National Blood Service to restock the National Blood Bank.
It was organised in collaboration with the Entrance University College of Health Sciences, Entrance University Hospital, the St. Karol School of Nursing, and the National Blood Service, with Abii National Bank assisting.
While some participants donated blood, others took advantage of the exercise to get screened for various ailments including a fasting blood sugar test, which was held early in the morning, malaria, body mass index, blood pressure as well as breast cancer test.
About 200 persons who participated in the exercise were given medication and counselling free of charge, while those who needed serious medical attention were given directives on how to go about their situation.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the Samuel Amo Tobbin (SAT) Foundation, Harriet Asante called on Ghanaians to change their attitude towards blood donation exercise.
She observed that certain beliefs and norms in the Ghanaian society still prevented people from taking part in blood donations exercise, a situation she said must be discouraged.
Harriet Asante also said the Foundation spearheaded the corporate social responsibilities on behalf of the Tobinco Group of Companies and therefore thought it prudent to collaborate with the National Blood Service, to undertake the exercise.
Harriet Asante said the exercise will be held frequently to boost public participation in blood donation, urging other corporate bodies to challenge themselves by organising similar exercises to replenish the National Blood Service.
She also commended all the participants of the exercise, encouraging the public to value blood donation exercise and participate any time they are given the opportunity.
On his part, the Public Relations Officer of the National Blood Service, Stephen Addai-Baah, thanked the Foundation for always thinking about them and supporting them.
He called for more voluntary blood donations on a yearly basis, saying that, “If one per cent of the population donates blood, it would put the National Blood Bank in a very good position to take care of emergency situations like accidents.”
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori