Less than 1% of population donates blood despite rising demand – NBS

…as annual Melcom nationwide blood drive exercise begins

By Christabel Danso ABEAM

Ghana is facing a severe blood shortage crisis – with current donation levels falling far below the national requirement, according to Dr. Dilys John-Teye of the National Blood Service (NBS).

Speaking at a press conference in Accra to announce the annual blood donation exercise in partnership with Melcom Group of Companies, Dr. John-Teye revealed that although Ghana has a population of over 30 million the country struggles to collect even 200,000 units of blood annually.

“If just one percent of the population were to donate blood regularly, Ghana would comfortably meet its national demand,” she stated. However, she noted that voluntary donations – regarded globally as the safest and most sustainable source of blood – account for less than one percent of total supply.

“Voluntary donations alone are not able to meet even half of the collections. Ghana collects about 180,000 units of blood annually, which is less than two-thirds of the country’s requirement,” Dr. John-Teye said.

This shortfall has forced many hospitals to rely on replacement donations from relatives of patients in need of transfusions. She added that the situation is even more alarming when examined at the regional level.

“For instance, in Greater Accra the Regional Blood Centre receives less than half of its annual blood supply from voluntary donors. Nationwide, hospitals continue to conduct independent blood drives out of necessity, despite efforts to centralise the system under the National Blood Service,” she explained.

While such independent collections may address immediate shortfalls, Dr. John-Teye warned that they undermine international best practices and contravene the World Health Organisation’s directive to centralise and standardise blood collection, testing and distribution under a national framework.

She attributed the low donation rates to public hesitancy and called for intensified awareness campaigns, advocacy and voluntary action to reverse the trend.

In his remarks, Ramesh Sadhwani, Joint Group Managing Director of Melcom Group, disclosed that the company’s blood drives have collected a total of 8,514 pints over the past decade, contributing significantly to saving numerous lives.

This year’s Melcom Blood Drive, in partnership with the NBS, is scheduled to take place across four senior high schools, 30 selected Melcom branches nationwide and four major malls – Melcom Spintex Mall, Accra Mall, Achimota Mall and West Hills Mall.

The selected schools include Accra Academy and Ashaiman Senior High School in the Greater Accra Region and Apam Senior High School and Gomoa Senior High Technical School at Dawurampong, Central Region. The school-based drive is set to begin on Wednesday, 23rd July 2025.

The 30 participating Melcom branches will hold their blood donation exercise on Thursday, 24th July, while malls will climax the campaign on Saturday 26th July 2025. All activities will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Mr. Sadhwani assured the public that all donors will undergo thorough medical screening and be provided with care packages as a token of appreciation.

He also highlighted the company’s long-term commitment to healthcare, noting that through its philanthropic wing – the Melcom Care Foundation – 45 blood and vaccine refrigerators have been donated to 39 health institutions across the country in the past four years, helping to improve storage and preservation of blood and other medical supplies.

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