Melcom launches 2025 blood donation campaign

The Melcom Care Foundation, in partnership with the National Blood Service (NBS), has launched the 2025 edition of its nationwide blood donation campaign, continuing a decade-long initiative that has collected over 8,500 units of blood to boost the country’s blood reserves.

This year's drive which begins today until Saturday, July 26, 2025, aims to further strengthen the national supply and save lives.

It would be held at 30 Melcom outlets across the country, with an expanded reach to four senior high schools.

Each session would begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m., with appropriate medical screening and care packages provided for donors.

Supports

Speaking at a press briefing held in Accra last Monday, the Joint Managing Director of the Melcom Group, Ramesh Sadhwani, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to national health initiatives through its Melcom Care Foundation.

He said the annual exercise also formed part of the company’s corporate social responsibility to help stock the National Blood Bank.

Mr Sadhwani said Melcom, which remained the country’s largest organised retailer with over 70 outlets, facilitated annual blood drives and donated medical equipment.

“Since four years ago, we have donated about 45 refrigerators to public hospitals and clinics to store blood, and after this year’s drive, we will add 25 more,” he said.

He called on the public to join in and support to save the lives of patients who required blood transfusions.

Appeal

The Head of Donor Recruitment at the NBS, David Dodzi Ahiadzro, called on the public, especially those aged between 17 and 60 to voluntarily donate blood since it was part of their civic duty.

He said that while the country needed at least 300,000 units of blood annually, only 30 per cent of current collections came from voluntary donors, with the rest being family replacement donations.

Mr Ahiadzro stated that the shortage of voluntary donors was due to fear and misconceptions, emphasising the importance of public education to dispel myths about blood donation.

“Blood can only be donated by humans. It cannot be manufactured or bought. Every donor can safely give blood three times a year,” he said.

Mr Ahiadzro further encouraged public support for the initiative to ensure timely access to blood for all Ghanaians in need.

Commendation

The Deputy Chief of Blood Donor Recruitment at the NBS, Sophia Blankson, commended Melcom’s consistent dedication to voluntary blood donation over the past decade.

She said the company's efforts have mobilised thousands of units, significantly improving the national blood supply.

Ms Blankson revealed that in 2013, the foundation collected 434 units, which increased progressively to 639 units in 2014, 824 in 2015 and 1,542 in 2016.

By 2023, Melcom collected 2,184 units in a single-day nationwide exercise.

“Through Melcom’s dedication, countless mothers, accident victims and patients with critical health conditions have been supported,” she said.