News
MTN Ghana Foundation, Regional Blood Bank organise blood donation exercise
The MTN Ghana Foundation, in partnership with the Eastern Regional Blood Bank, has organised the annual blood donation exercise to mark the Valentine’s Day celebration.
The exercise took place at the Manya Krobo Senior High School in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality, and was on the theme: ‘Safe blood saves lives.’
The student donors were taken through a health checklist, including age, blood level, and weight to ensure health safety before donation, and after which they were provided with milk, milo, and other foods to replenish their blood.
Mr Ransford Gyan, the MTN Ghana Sales Manager for Eastern, Volta, and Oti regions, told the Ghana News Agency that the foundation had a target of about 6000 people partaking in the blood donation exercise across the 16 regions.
“Our belief is that we will get the target set this year to assist in easing the country’s blood shortage. Donating blood is a benevolent act of solidarity, why don’t you join the effort and help save lives,” he quizzed.
He said at the initial stage of the blood donation exercise introduced by the MTN Ghana Foundation, it was limited to MTN staff but now opened up to the society.
Ms Philomina Quayson, Eastern Regional Blood Bank Donor Organiser at the Regional Hospital, said, “Blood is an essential commodity in the hospital because it helps patients who have accidents, surgeries, or medical conditions.
So, I encourage individuals to save lives by visiting any government hospitals to donate blood.”
She said persons 17 years and above, who are free from health conditions such as sickle cell and hypertension could donate.
She urged the public to donate blood as it was good and safe.
Master Kingsley Nartey, a student of Manya Krobo Senior High School, said, “Today is my first time to participate in this exercise and I was panicking but after going through the processes, I realised it was not painful and scary.” —GNA
News
Maternal mortality rate increases in Ashanti Region
The Ghana Health Service has revealed a staggering statistic of 1,000 women losing their lives during childbirth in the Ashanti Region between 2020 and 2024.
This alarming number, according to the Regional Health Director, Dr Frank Adomanko Boateng, highlights the persistent challenge of maternal mortality in Ghana, despite efforts to improve maternal healthcare.
Dr Adomanko Boateng, therefore emphasized on an urgent need for stronger interventions to curb the high rate of maternal deaths.
Speaking at the 2024 Regional Health Forum, he indicated that “Ghana is struggling to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of reducing maternal mortality to 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.”
Dr Boateng stressed that time was of the essence, saying, “The clock is ticking, and we must double our efforts.”
He called for intensified measures over the next six years to bridge the gap and prevent further loss of lives.
Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio, he noted, has been declining from 760 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 310 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017.
However, “the country still faces significant challenges in reducing maternal mortality, particularly in regions like Ashanti.”
To address the issue, he said, Ghana has been working to improve maternal healthcare through various initiatives, including the Network for Improving Quality of Care for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.
The country aims to reduce maternal mortality by strengthening healthcare systems, improving access to quality care, and enhancing community engagement
From Kingsley E. Hope,
Kumasi
News
NTC staff demonstrate prowess in fire fighting
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) on Tuesday held a sensitisation workshop on fire safety for staff of the New Times Corporation (NTC), publishers of The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator.
It created awareness on fire prevention and safety measures to prevent fire in the home or office.
During the practical session, a section of the staff were taken through fire outbreaks drills steps to take in fire .
tries his hands on
one of the traditional
way to combat fire
Nortey led the demonstration exercise
to staff before the demonstration exercise
of staff Herty Nortey to put off a fire
Can-Tamakloe trying to
extinguish the fire
Led by Assistant Divisional Officer (ADO 1) Isaac Tengfaa, the staff were taught how to use the different types of fire extinguishers to combat fire.
He said it was important for home owners and office workers to put off every electrical gadget at work before leaving for their respective home because more fires in offices occur at closing hours.
He said fire incidence often resulted from carelessness, ignorance or natural occurrence.
Supported by ADO I Richard Mensah, ADO I Eunice Ceasar and Fire woman Anita Amponsah, some of the staff tried their hands on the fire extinguishers and other modes of combatting fire.
By Linda Abrefie Wadie
