Management of the Volta Regional Hospital in Hohoe has appealed for urgent support to strengthen blood collection and storage as recurring shortages continue to pose challenges to healthcare delivery at the facility.
Hospital authorities say inadequate blood supplies often leave the facility struggling to meet demand, particularly during emergencies and critical medical cases that require immediate transfusions.
Speaking during a visit by the Gbi Traditional Council to assure the hospital of its support for blood donation activities, the Administrator of the Volta Regional Hospital, Divine Akie, said the hospital needs additional logistics to improve blood mobilisation efforts.
“We frequently experience shortages of blood, especially during periods when demand is high. One of our major challenges is reaching potential voluntary donors in various communities,” he said.
Mr. Akie appealed to the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to provide the hospital with a dedicated vehicle to facilitate community outreach programmes and blood donation exercises.
“If we have a dedicated van, we can regularly move into communities, schools, churches and other institutions to mobilise voluntary donors and maintain adequate blood stocks to save lives,” he added.
According to him, strengthening voluntary blood donation remains one of the most effective ways of ensuring that patients requiring transfusions receive timely care.
The Paramount Chief of the Gbi Traditional Area, Togbega Gabusu VII, also called on stakeholders to support the hospital with the infrastructure and logistics needed to meet the growing healthcare demands of residents within the municipality and beyond.
“The hospital serves thousands of people and it is important that it receives the necessary support to effectively deliver its services. We must all contribute to strengthening the facility,” he stated.
Togbega Gabusu VII further encouraged members of the public to voluntarily donate blood, stressing that a single donation could save multiple lives.
“Blood cannot be manufactured. The only way to save patients in need is through voluntary donations. I therefore urge the public to make blood donation a regular habit because it is a gift of life,” he said. 
