Health News of Wednesday, 16 April 2008

Source: GNA

Soldiers of the 66 Artillery Regiment revive V/R blood bank

Ho, April 16, GNA - Over 100 soldiers from the 66 Artillery Regiment of Volta Barrack on Wednesday, transfused an emergency dose of blood into the Volta Regional blood bank which had been anaemic since the last Easter. Mr John Wegbe, Technician in charge of the bank said, emergencies during the Easter festivities had caused an acute shortage of blood in the 200 unit capacity blood bank, which had remained empty for several weeks.

Dr Anthony Ashinyo, a Medical Officer at the Hospital expressed gratitude to the Regiment for its timely intervention because the Hospital could not continue to depend on blood replacement by patients to manage emergency situations involving pregnant women, children and accident victims. He advised the soldiers to eat properly and avoid habits that predispose them to diseases. The soldiers were screened through life history and medical history before the exercise. Lieutenant Colonel Emmanuel Kotia, Commanding Officer of the Regiment said the donation a bi-annual event, was part of activities marking the Regiment's 42nd anniversary.