The National Blood Service is edging Ghanaians to ignore misconceptions that people who donate blood die frequently because the blood are used for rituals.
Donor Recruitment Officer at Korle-Bu Akosua Brefowaa-Okyere Kilson made the call on Nkwa Hia, health talk show on Adom TV on Monday.
She told show host, Afia Amankwaah Tamakloe that most Ghanaians are scared of voluntary blood donation because of a combination of factors, of which the erroneous myths behind blood donation is major.
‘’Our socio-culture system has a myth that blood taken from donors end in the hands of people who use it for money rituals so many people have refused to donate blood,’’ she added.
She said people also fear that they might contract a disease during the donation process so they just stay away.
Akosua Kilson noted that the misconception is causing a gap in blood supply, as statistice at Korle Bu alone shows demand is higher than supply currently.
She however said prospective donors can rest assured that they will be given a mini-medical check-up, and taken through a series of questions to ensure that they are eligible to donate.
Akosua Kilson noted one other thing that make the blood bank shortage is the festive seasons because, schools are on vacation and churches also do fasting and other activities that make it difficult for the regular donors to give blood.
She is therefore appealing to donors and all Ghanaians to come out in their numbers and donate voluntarily because blood shortage at hospitals is a threat to human life.
Myths about blood donation causes shortage
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