By Sophia Blankson (Principal Blood Donor Recruitment Officer)
Each day, thousands of people need donated blood and blood products to keep them in good health or allow them to stay alive. Blood is necessary to keep us alive. It brings oxygen and nutrients to all the parts of the body so they can keep working. If a person’s blood levels fall due to an accident or illness or their blood is not functioning correctly, there will not be enough oxygen or other nutrients to maintain their vital organs.
Another person’s donated blood can help such a person, and that is why we are all encouraged to give blood when we can. The following are reasons why you should give blood if you live in Ghana:
- Blood is in short supply in Ghana
Blood has long been a rare commodity across much of Sub Saharan Africa, and the demand for blood surpasses the blood supply in our country. In 2021 total blood requirement was 300,000 units of blood, out of which 173,000 were collected. This figure shows a shortfall of over 120,000 units, meaning that only a few eligible donors donate blood.
There is a great need for all of us to contribute to bridging this shortfall by giving blood.
- You can be the difference needed by someone to survive.
Your donated blood can be separated into three components (red blood cells, plasma and platelets). Blood and its components are very significant for human life, and therefore blood transfusion can be a life-saving intervention.
As a blood donor, you provide a vital service to the Ghanaian community when your blood is separated into different components to save up to three lives.
- Shelve life of blood is short
Donated blood and products prepared from it have a short shelf life, which is why regular voluntary donations are always required. Platelet concentrates expire in just five days. Whole blood, commonly used in regional hospitals, has only 35 days for storage. Red blood cells, prepared from whole blood by removing the plasma (the liquid portion of the blood), have a shelf life of up to 35-42 days, depending on the type of anticoagulant used. Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) and cryoprecipitate expire in 1 year.
- Blood is required for various types of patients
Blood transfusion can be a life-saving intervention for different kinds of health problems. There are a lot of conditions that will require a blood transfusion with the blood you donate, which you might not be aware of. Some of these conditions are but are not limited to the following
- internal or external bleeding due to an injury or trauma cases
- sickle cell disease or another illness that affects the blood
- cancer treatment
- surgery, such as cardiovascular or orthopaedic surgery
- inherited blood disorder
- a transplant
- treatments involving plasma or other blood products
- Benefits to the donor
Donated blood can save the lives of people in need. However, it may also benefit the donor. Making a difference in the lives of others can also boost your sense of well-being. It can promote well-being by
- reducing stress
- positive use of leisure time
Each person who donates blood completes a simple physical examination and blood test before giving blood. These are not in-depth tests, but they may help identify unknown health concerns, such as anaemia or high or low blood pressure.
The free mini health examination will check the donor’s:
- blood pressure
- heart rate
- haemoglobin, or iron, levels
- weight
