Waiver on blood processing fees, a humanitarian move
Blood banks are essential for health care because they ensure a steady supply of safe and tested blood for transfusions.
They also come in handy during emergencies such as accidents and natural disasters by providing blood quickly.
Blood banks also contribute to research on blood-related diseases and conditions as well as help develop new treatments and therapies.
Having access to blood for any kind of treatment in the country comes with some challenges. For instance, patients or their relatives are required to pay for blood processing fees out of pocket, which can be a significant financial burden.
Therefore, reports that the government is considering making blood units free by subsidising and removing the prevailing processing fees to improve access and equity in blood services, especially for the vulnerable (see Daily Graphic, Thursday, June 19, 2025, page 24), is a welcome development that has the potential to significantly improve healthcare outcomes.
According to the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the policy change was pending parliamentary approval.
He made this known at an event organised by the National Blood Service (NBS) to commemorate World Donor Day in Accra. It was on the theme: “Give blood, give hope: Together we save lives."
The day is dedicated to celebrating the generosity of voluntary blood donors and their lifesaving contributions.
The Daily Graphic believes that when the waiver is approved, it will be a testament that the government is taking a crucial step towards making health care more accessible and affordable for all.
The waiver could also improve healthcare outcomes for patients undergoing surgery, trauma care and treatment of certain diseases. By removing the financial barrier to accessing blood units, patients can receive the medical care they need without delay.
Additionally, when the waiver is approved, it will show the government’s commitment to universal health coverage for all Ghanaians and also a step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensuring that all Ghanaians have access to quality health care.
The paper supports the call by the Health Minister for increased donor mobilisation, particularly among the youth, and also for institutions to organise blood donation exercises, at least twice a year, to build a sustainable national blood reserve.
Low donor numbers is one of the challenges of the NBS and the Daily Graphic is hopeful that the service will continue to intensify efforts that encourage people to donate blood through various strategies, such as communicating the basic requirements to donate blood, bringing donation centres close to workplaces, universities, churches and events; incorporating blood donation awareness into school curricula, involving the youth in blood donation campaigns and events, and building trust and recognition by sharing testimonials and experiences of blood donors, among others.
The move by the NBS to establish regional centres across the country and redesignate existing zonal blood centres as regional blood centres to improve access, safety and availability of blood products as stated by the NBS CEO, Dr Shirley Owusu-Ofori, is a step in the right direction.
We also urge the government to take a look at the things that the service lack such as vehicles, including mobile blood vans, which, according to the CEO, were critical to voluntary blood mobilisation efforts.
We believe that when the blood processing fees waiver is approved by Parliament, the government will ensure that the policy is implemented effectively and healthcare facilities would have the necessary resources to provide safe and quality blood transfusions.
Moreover, it is important that efforts are made to strengthen the healthcare system as a whole by ensuring that there are adequate supplies of blood units and healthcare workers are equipped to provide quality care.
