The National Blood Service (NBS) has donated 1,000 branded children’s T-shirts to the Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital in Accra as part of its World Blood Donor Day initiatives, as the hospital celebrates its centenary.
Presenting the donation, NBS Chief Executive Officer Dr. Shirley Owusu-Ofori said the visit continued the conversation begun in June and reaffirmed the Service’s long-term commitment to the hospital’s young patients.
She congratulated the hospital’s management on behalf of the NBS Board, recognising a century of dedication by generations of doctors, nurses and support staff.
Strengthening support for children
Dr. Owusu-Ofori said the missions of the two institutions were closely connected, with children among the main recipients of blood transfusions for severe anaemia, malaria complications, surgery and other acute conditions.
“Strengthening our partnerships with frontline institutions like Princess Marie Louise Hospital is vital to ensuring safe blood always reaches those in need,” she said.
She described the T-shirts as a symbol of institutional solidarity and appreciation, and thanked voluntary donors who responded to national appeals in February and June.
“Let us all continue championing regular, voluntary, non-remunerated blood donations to ensure no mother, child, or patient in Ghana ever faces a shortage of this vital resource.”
Promoting blood donation awareness
Receiving the donation, the hospital’s Medical Superintendent, Dr. Maame Yaa Nyarko, expressed gratitude and highlighted the needs of the vulnerable communities served by the inner-city facility, including children from economically disadvantaged households and immigrant families.
She said maintaining an adequate, readily available blood supply remained a challenge. Despite counselling, parental anxiety and misconceptions continued to affect efforts to mobilise donors.
Dr. Nyarko explained that the T-shirts would be distributed to paediatric sickle cell patients to help raise awareness of blood donation. The hospital also plans to engage its parent support groups to encourage more people to donate and support the shared mission of saving lives.
