MTN holds blood donation exercise

Tamale, Feb 13, GNA - MTN Ghana Foundation, the social responsibility wing of telecoms giants; Mobile Telecommunications Network (MTN), has held its annual Valentine's Day blood donation exercise to contribute to saving lives in the country.

The exercise, dubbed 'Save a Life Campaign,' was held in Tamale on Friday, where staff of MTN and members of the public voluntarily donated blood in response to the dire need to replenish blood banks of selected hospitals in the country.

This year's exercise was held in collaboration with Ecobank Ghana Limited, Tamale Teaching Hospital and the Northern Regional Library.

Mr Kwami Aseye Akude, the Northern Sector Manager of MTN, said the target was to collect 700 pints of blood for distribution to the National Blood Bank at Korle Bu, Ridge Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Tamale Teaching Hospital and Effia Nkwanta Hospital.

Mr Akude said the annual blood donation exercise had generated over 1,000 pints of blood which had been distributed to major health facilities in the country, adding 'Last year, we were able to collect 625 pints of blood across the country, exceeding our 2014 target by 125 pints.'

He said whiles helping save lives, the blood donation exercise could contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals of reducing child and maternal mortality in the country.

Mr Abdul-latif Bavug, Tamale Branch Manager of Ecobank Ghana Limited, said donating blood meant potentially saving lives, adding, people must not be afraid to donate blood.  

GNA