The National Blood Service (NBS) in Ghana is experiencing shortfalls in its bloodstock. This unfortunate development has been attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and the reluctance of many Ghanaians to make voluntary blood donations.
To help address the aforementioned situation, James McKeown Worship Centre (JMWC) in the Dansoman Area of The Church of Pentecost in collaboration with the National Blood Service (NBS), has organised a blood donation exercise to help stock the National Blood Bank and also help save lives of patients.
“If we donate blood, we help people and save lives, including ours, because you don’t know when you or your loved one would be in need of blood,” he said.
The exercise was part of the weeklong National Pentecost Social Services (PENTSOS) celebration under the theme “Re-Branding the Social Ministry to Drive the Possessing the Nations Agenda of the Church.”
The exercise took place on Sunday August 29, 2021, at the church premises. The event saw about 71 members of the JMWC donating pints of blood to support the noble cause.
Speaking to PENTECOST NEWS on the sidelines of the event, the Resident Minister of JMWC, Pastor Dr Perez Sepenu, said both him and his wife, Dr. Naa Akushia Sepenu, both practicing specialists at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KATH), underscored the need for blood donation exercises.
He said blood saves lives, adding that one of the leading causes of death amongst pregnant women was Hemorrhage, a condition where a woman bleeds uncontrollably during, before, during or after delivery.
“Therefore, blood donation goes to help such patients whose condition can only be managed by blood and blood products as part of their treatment,” Dr Sepenu stated.
He also noted that the blood donation exercise is in line with the Church’s “Possessing the Nations” agenda (Vision 2023).
Mr. Jonas Belko, the National Blood Bank Coordinator, commended JMWC for supporting the exercise and encouraged other churches and corporate bodies to emulate the good example.
As part of the event, all the donors were given packs of milo, tins of milk and other souvenirs such as T-shirts, keyholders and books, as tokens of appreciation.
SOURCE: THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST NEWS