Scholars Move To Save Lives At KATH

Students at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) benefitting from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars’ Programme, have joined the campaign to save lives at the KomfoAnokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) with a blood donation exercise.

The programme was designed to improve blood stock at the Hospital, the nation’s second largest health referral facility, and on hand to provide technical assistance was a team of medical personnel drawn from its Blood Transfusion Unit.

Master Prince Adufah, President of the Group, speaking to the media, said the exercise formed part of activities to commemorate the ‘Mastercard Scholars’ Service Day’, an activity dedicated to addressing development challenges in the society.

He said their decision to come to the aid of the Hospital was necessitated by the large volume of blood required by the facility to enhance healthcare delivery.

Records indicate that the Unit requires approximately 80 units of blood daily in order to function properly.

Master Adufah entreated other student bodies to strive to make voluntary blood donation a regular feature in their activities to help reduce to the barest minimum deaths borne out of the shortage of blood, especially in times of emergency.

The Mastercard Foundation scholars, he said, were focused on changing the society for the better through transformational projects in the area of youth empowerment, sanitation and waste management, mentorship programmes, curbing illiteracy and improved agricultural practices.

Mr Benjamin Arhin, of the KATH Blood Transfusion Unit, disclosed that about 70 per cent of blood donated to the facility was from students.

The Unit, he said, had as a result, partnered effectively with school authorities to assist in stocking the blood bank for the benefit of the people.

He advised the public to endeavour to always eat balanced diet, exercise their bodies regularly and adhering to healthy lifestyles for their own good.

Source: GNA