Melcom Care Foundation, the charity wing of Melcom Group has donated medical equipment to five hospitals in the Greater Accra Region.

The equipment comprising four medical refrigerators, two bed side refrigerators and 15 water purifiers were presented to 37 Military Hospital, Police Hospital, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Tema General Hospital and Ridge Hospital.

In his remarks, Mr Godwin Avenorgbo, Director of Communications of Melcom Group of Companies, said the foundation was established to reach out and meet the needs of children across the country.

He explained that this ranges from children in need of medical care and education support through a well managed scholarship scheme from primary to tertiary support for stakeholders in health and education.

He noted that 37 Military Hospital would receive two bed side refrigerator and two water purifiers for patient care, whereas, each of the other four hospitals would receive a medical refrigerator and three water purifiers.

Mr Avenorgbo said the donation, which was being done in honour of Mrs Sheila Khubchandani, the First Lady of Melcom on the occasion of her 75th birthday, would enhance the relationship between the company and its blood donor facilitators who under the umbrella of the National Blood Transfusion Service had supported the successes made by Melcom care in record blood donation figures since 2013.

He explained that Melcom had undertaken single unit/ location blood donation exercises until the advent of Melcom Care when it institutionalised the annual bleeding exercise with regards to 435 pints in 2013, 639 pints in 2014 and 824 pints in 2015.

The Director of Communications said the Chairman of the Melcom Group had given directives for the exploration of the possibility of awarding medals to all voluntary participants in the Melcom Blood donation campaign.

He said in relation to this, participants would be awarded in addition to the Blood Donation Certificate awarded by the National Blood Transfusion Service.

He said the exercise does not have a specific targeted number of pints however; the team assures volunteers on how safe it is to donate to save lives and personal benefits to be derived by the donor.

He said: “The medical refrigerators we are donating is the first step among others to ensure that blood donated is kept safe and well preserved for screening and infusion to save lives.”

Deputy Commissioner of Police Dr Iddi Musah, Director of Police Ambulance, Police Hospital; Ms Gladys Ansong of the Public Relations Unit of the Korle- Bu Teaching Hospital; Mr Augustine Kwashie, Clinical Coordinator, Tema General Hospital and Mr Mohammed Mustapha Seini, Laboratory Manager, Ridge Hospital, received the items on behalf of their hospitals.

Dr Victor Bampoe, Deputy Health Minister on behalf of government commended Melcom for its generous donation especially with regards to the collaboration with the national blood service.

He described the various forms of donation made by the Foundation as an ample demonstration of the care and love shown to Ghanaians, adding: “This is a good demonstration of corporate social responsibility.”

Dr Justina Ansah, Director of the National Blood Transfusion Service on behalf of the Service also expressed gratitude to Melcom foundation care for the partnership to embark on such a life-saving exercise, nationwide.

She urged individuals and other organisations to emulate Melcom’s initiative and consider blood donation as civic responsibility.