Kumasi – Marking its 20th Anniversary, the Ashanti Regional Office of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) hosted a blood donation exercise at the Kumasi City Mall. The event was part of a concerted effort to replenish the blood banks of key health facilities in the region.
According to Ghana News Agency, Director of Procurement and Projects at the NHIA Head Office, the event saw staff from all district offices of the Authority and members of the public actively participate in blood donation after being declared eligible. Professionals from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) supervised the exercise, themed ’20 Years of Care, One Pint at a time: Donate for Life.’ The NHIA targeted at least 300 donors in the Ashanti Region for this initiative.
The importance of adequately stocked blood banks in health facilities, particularly for emergency situations where patients critically need blood, was underscored during the event. Mr. Yeboah emphasized the challenging reality of blood banks facing shortages and the life-saving nature of such donation exercises. He called for participation from all eligible citizens, highlighting the collective benefit to the health system.
Reflecting on the impact of the Scheme over 20 years, Mr. Yeboah noted significant improvements in healthcare access, especially among the poor. While acknowledging the impossibility of satisfying every stakeholder in any program implementation, he expressed confidence that the Scheme had largely had a positive impact on the lives of Ghanaians. He estimated that the Authority had achieved over 80 percent success in terms of claims payments and client services.
The Scheme currently boasts over 17 million enrollees, with an ambitious goal to reach 20 million by the end of 2023. Mr. Kwadwo Dwomoh, the Regional Director, described the blood donation exercise as part of the Authority’s corporate social responsibility and a contribution to health delivery in the region. He encouraged Ghanaians who are not yet registered with the Scheme to do so, highlighting the potential life-saving importance of the NHIS card.