MTN Foundation demonstrates love by mobilizing blood for critically in need

In celebrating this year’s Valentine Day, MTN Ghana Foundation again demonstrated their love by mobilizing blood towards saving human lives across the country.

The Foundation’s goal is to collect 6,110 units of blood to replenish the National Blood Service and blood banks at major Hospitals throughout the country.

The MTN Ghana Foundation Blood Donation exercise dubbed “Save a Life,” is held every February 14, simultaneously across all 16 regions of the country.

In the Northern Region, the blood mobilization targeted teachers, staff and students of selected senior High Schools. They included Tamale Senior High, Northern School of Business and Bimbilla Senior High Schools.

The Mobile Telecommunication Giant, MTN began the initiative in 2011 in response to appeals from the national Blood Bank service for voluntary blood donations to addressing the critical low blood supplies.

According to MTN’s Area Sales Manager, Collins Adjei, the initiative, essentially was to collect blood and save lives, in response to calls from the National Blood Service.

“Blood is an essential component in the health delivery system. There has always been a call from the national blood bank, hence February being a month to show love, we at MTN Ghana embark on this important activity through mobilizing blood to support the national Blood service and blood banks of the various health facilities where we operate.”

Mr. Adjei remarked further that Blood was essential in any life activity and for health care providers, the availability of blood was a critical ingredient that gave them the confidence to go about their duties, including performing critical surgeries, adding that in maternal health especially during deliveries assurance of blood smoothens the processes and reduces risks.

He opined that one of the pillars of the MTN Foundation is Health – with agenda to save lives. The Area Sales Manager added that they expect to collect over 6100 units of blood, which is a rise above last year’s over 5000 units of blood mobilized nationally.

“MTN Ghana has been among the leading mobilizers of blood for the National Blood service. Since 2011 to date, we have mobilize over 29,000 units of blood to aid the national Blood Service. For instance, MTN was the largest corporate donor in 2013 and the second largest blood donor in 2014 and these have become an encouragement to other corporate organizations to also rally support towards restocking the blood banks so you can imagine the impact.”

Mr. Adjei commended MTN Ghana staff, their 3rd parties and other donors for responding yearly to the call, but encouraged them not only to wait this Valentine day to donate blood, but should become regularly donors of blood.

A Principal Blood Donor Organizer at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Rashidatu Sulemana commended the efforts of MTN Ghana over the years, in partnering the health facility in restocking blood.

“MTN has been a partner over the years and their support has benefited largely children under five who often have malaria cases and pregnant women. There can’t be any show of love than giving blood and for MTN constantly mobilizing people who are health y to support the critically in need is a worthy cause that others should also emulate,” madam Sulemana added.

Story By: Nelson Adanuti Nyadror |www.diamondfmonline.com |Ghana.