In order to replenish the blood bank of the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), the Old Students of the Vitting Senior High School (VOSA) in the Northern Region and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) have partnered to arrange a blood donation campaign in Tamale.
The exercise was one of the events held to mark the National Health Insurance Scheme’s (20th) anniversary (NHIS).
High-profile individuals attended the event, which was well attended by NHIS employees, visiting senior high school students, and members of the general public.
Speaking to the media, Alhaji Hudu Issah, a member of the 20-year anniversary committee and director of the private health insurance scheme (PHIS) at the NHIA head office, who oversaw the exercise, praised the participants in large numbers—the public, NHIS staff in the Northern Region, and visiting senior high school students.
“The turnout shows that we really care about each other”.
He said the exercise was motivated by the NHIS’s commitment to enhancing the nation’s health care delivery.
“Our blood banks in most cases are lacking enough blood to save lives of the people of Ghana so it is the aim of the national health insurance authority once we are operating within the same space; that is, providing health to the residents of Ghana, it is our intension to organize ourselves, donate blood to the blood banks just as when any one of us is in need of the essential commodity like blood, the person will not be denied the opportunity to get blood”.
While praising the achievements of the national health insurance program, Mr. Issahaku Abdul Latif, the Northern Regional Director of the National Health Insurance Authority, also urged the local media to keep working with the NHIS’s management to publicize the program’s initiatives.
Some blood donors have since shared their reasons for giving blood in an effort to save lives.
First-time blood donor Ms. Amira Nantogmah explained that her brother’s tragic death from a blood emergency was the reason behind her decision to donate.
She promised to keep giving blood to help anyone at the medical facilities who might require it.
Abubakari Abdul Fatawu clarified, saying, “I just feel like helping the hospital’s needy people.” He therefore urged everyone to try to save lives rather than be afraid to donate.
Mr. Iddi Fuseini, a senior blood donation coordinator at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, applauded the NHIS leadership for launching this life-saving effort.
Source: Marzuuq Issah | Ghana360news.com
