SMLM-G proposes 7 measures to improve blood service delivery

Society of Medical Laboratory Managers Ghana (SMLM-G) is proposing to government seven measures to implement to improve the quality of blood service delivery in Ghana including constituting the governing board to fully fulfil the demands of the National Blood Service Act (ACT 1042).

A statement issued by Acting Board Secretary of Society of Medical Laboratory Managers Ghana (SMLM-G) Dr. Francis Effah Abban said “National Blood Service should continue providing capacity building and advisory support to the laboratory profession to recruit, collect and screen their own blood using the appropriate and standard operating procedures. There should be a functional and efficient system for blood donor recruitment and blood disbursement in our health facilities.

The statement further noted that “There should be commitment of management of the various facilities towards improvement in laboratory quality management systems in blood banks. Staff of the blood bank should be well motivated to deliver their services which indisputably has to run 24hrs”.

According to the statement “At least there should be high level systems at each District and Regional Hospital for example using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method to screen blood to improve quality of products for transfusion. A governing board and its structures should immediately be put in place in fulfilment of the National Blood Service Act (ACT 1042) which is in operation for about two years. National Health insurance should absorb all related costs for blood screening to reduce the burden on patients. We hope the Ghana Health Service, National blood”.

BELOW IS THE FULL PRESS RELEASE BY SMLM-G:

Blood plays key roles in the body and urgently needed in adequate levels for proper body functions and management of variety of health conditions.

Following the recent expose by Joy news on 16th February, 2022 and as key stakeholders ofmanaging blood transfusion services in our various facilities across Ghana, the Society of Medical
Laboratory managers Ghana want the following measures instituted immediately to avoid further defect to the current challenging system.

1) National Blood Service should continue providing capacity building and advisory
support to the laboratory profession to recruit, collect and screen their own blood using
the appropriate and standard operating procedures.

2) There should be a functional and efficient system for blood donor recruitment and blood
disbursement in our health facilities.

3) There should be commitment of management of the various facilities towards improvement in laboratory quality management systems in blood banks.

4) Staff of the blood bank should be well motivated to deliver their services which
indisputably has to run 24hrs.

5) At least there should be high level systems at each District and Regional Hospital for
example using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method to screen blood
to improve quality of products for transfusion.

6) A governing board and its structures should immediately be put in place in fulfilment of
the National Blood Service Act (ACT 1042) which is in operation for about two years.

7) National Health insurance should absorb all related costs for blood screening to reduce the burden on patients.

We hope the Ghana Health Service, National blood Service and all related authorities will help implement the above recommendations for a more efficient delivery of blood services in Ghana.

Dr. Francis Effah Abban
Ag. Board Secretary, SMLM-G

Source : africaneditors.com