The Medical Laboratory Science Students’ Association (MELSSA) of the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho (UHAS), as part of its maiden week celebration organized a blood donation exercise to increase the stock of the Volta Regional Hospital Blood Bank. The theme of the celebration “Blood Donation, whose Responsibility?” was chosen to create awareness for the need to donate blood to save lives in hospitals across the country. The event was sponsored by the Best Laboratory Medical Diagnostic Center and was supported by the Volta Regional Hospital.

Thirty (30) personnel from the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences of the University of Health and Allied Sciences took the volunteer donors through a series of screening exercises. They were tested for Hepatitis B virus, Diabetes, Hemoglobin and Blood pressure. Those declared fit were further examined finally by the staff of the Volta Regional Hospital Blood Bank before the donation of blood. A total of about 55 people were screened and 30 were declared fit to donate blood for the Blood Bank.

According to the Organizing Secretary of MELSSA-UHAS, Mr. Evans Ankamah, the decision to organize the blood donation exercise has become necessary due to the perennial blood shortage at the Volta Regional Hospital Blood Bank. The occasion was also used to educate the public on the Hepatitis B virus which has become prevalent in Ghana.

Prior to the blood donation, the team organized a health walk on the principal streets of Ho to get prepared physically for the exercise.

Other activities of the celebration included an excursion to Mountain Afadja at the Afadjato South District of the Volta Region and a thanksgiving service.

The weeklong celebration was preceded by a grand launching. Some of the notable dignitaries present at the launch were Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) Sheila Allotey from the Korle Bu National Blood Bank, Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) Laud Bassing from the American Society of Microbiology, Faculty Members from the Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, UHAS.