Akosombo (E/R), Oct 13, GNA - Six branches of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church in the Koforidua municipality, have signed an "Assurance Scheme" with the Koforidua Regional Hospital Blood Bank. Under it, members of the branches would donate 100 units of blood annually to the Bank in return for blood transfusion for any member of the Church who required it without replacement.

Mr Emmanuel Bonney, Assistant Chief Blood Donor Organiser, announced this at a voluntary blood donation exercise organised by the Akosombo-Annum District branch of the SDA at Akosombo.

Members of the Church donated 50 units to the blood bank.

Mr Bonney called on religious and other organised groups to take advantage of the Assurance Scheme to support the bank to ensure safe blood for all at all times while ensuring ready blood for their members as well whenever they needed it.

He noted that if blood banks had sufficient voluntary donors, commercial blood donation would cease.

Pastor Oteng Asare, Minister in-charge of the Akosombo-Annum District of the Church, said voluntary blood donation to save life was a form of service to God and urged members of the Church to support the voluntary blood donation campaign to show care and support for the needy.