The three major hospitals in Accra, the 37 Military, Police and Korle Bu Teaching Hospitals, at the weekend launched a special blood donation campaign to save the lives of victims of the Circle Filling Station fire disaster.

They launched the campaign dubbed: 'GOIL Service Station Disaster Victims' Blood Donation Campaign', after GOIL Management and Board members visited the three health institutions.

The GOIL team included Professor William A Asomaning, Board Chairman; Mr Damian Yelbonkang Zaato, board member; Mr Anthony Twumasi, Information, Technical and Planning Ma\nager, Mr Cyril Opon, Administrative Manager; Mr Stephen Yaw Gyaben, Solicitor; Mr Gyamfi Amanquah, Technical and Special Products Manager; and Mrs Rosemond Frimpong, Corporate Affairs Manager.

Some officials at the three hospitals noted that looking at their injuries, the treatment for the number of victims admitted over the short period, would depend largely on blood transfusion.

The officials were DSP Kwame Ayisi, Medical Officer at the Police Hospital Emergency Unit; Dr Elliot Boham, Senior Resident Officer at the National Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Department, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, and a Military Officer at the 37 Military Hospital.

Launching the appeal during interaction with the GOIL officials, Dr Ayisi noted that the first priority in treating the burnt victims was to ensure that the airway (breathing passages) remained open.

He explained that such patients also suffered from associated smoke inhalation injury, particularly if the burn occurred in closed spaces, adding, even patients burned in open areas may sustain smoke inhalation.

Dr Ayisi noted that risk for smoke inhalation was great in victims who had injuries to the upper torso, or burns of the face, and in victims who coughed up carbonaceous material or soot.

Dr Boham noted that the victims on admission had suffered various degrees of injuries and were under a 24-hour observation.

Prof. Asomaning called for a total national support for the victims, and urged the public to join the Blood donation campaign; “we must save the lives of all those who are alive now.

“No victim should die now as a result of shortage of blood at any of the hospitals.”

The team visited all the patients at their bed sides to express their empathy towards them, and commended the health officials.