Accra, Oct. 10, GNA - The Minister of Health Major (rtd) Courage Quashigah, on Wednesday launched the National Blood Policy in Accra with a call for appropriate measures to be taken in the collection, screening, processing, storage and use of blood and blood products. "Although a life saving intervention, blood transfusion carries with it the risk of acute or delayed complications and transmission of transfusion transmissible infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C, syphilis, malaria and others," the minister cautioned.

Major Quashigah said transfusion-transmitted infections could be eliminated or substantially reduced through integrated strategy for blood safety, which included a well organised, nationally co-ordinated blood service, testing of all donor blood for transfusion, blood grouping and compatible testing.

The 22-page policy document comprises situational analysis, aims and objectives and defines strategies to achieve targets. It also spells out the role of the National Blood Service (NBS) and other institutions such as hospital blood banks, transfusion committees and public health reference laboratory to meet international standards. Policies regarding laboratory testing, processing, storage, quality assurance and clinical transfusion practice were also outlined in addition to guidelines on ethical conduct, human resource strategy, finance and active research development programmes. Major Quashigah said approximately two-thirds of all blood transfused went to children and women of child bearing age who had many more productive years to live.

He said this brought into sharp focus the concepts of availability and safety of blood and blood products.

He said millions of lives were saved each year through blood transfusion worldwide, but in developing countries, people died due to the inadequate supply.

Dr Justina Ansah, Director, NBS said the success of the policy depended on effective collaboration with all stakeholders to achieve its objective of making blood safe, adequate, affordable and accessible to all hospitals countrywide.

She said blood safety in Ghana, like other African countries, deserved special attention, considering the high prevalence of transfusion transmissible infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C, syphilis and malaria.

Dr Ansah said safety of blood therefore comprised blood collection, which incorporates education, motivation, recruitment, and retention of low risk blood donors in addition to quality testing, processing and appropriate clinical use of blood. She said the launch would be followed by nation-wide dissemination and subsequent implementation processes and expressed the hope that it would improve the blood services offered in the country. 10 Oct. 07