Melcom donates 25 medical fridges to 25 hospitals nationwide
By Zeenatu ABUBAKER, Accra
As part of efforts to bridge the healthcare gap between urban and rural communities, Melcom Group of companies has donated 25 medical fridges to 25 hospitals across the country.
The institutions include the Upper West Regional Hospital, Tamale Teaching Hospital, Upper East Regional Hospital, Ho Teaching Hospital, Ketu South Municipal Hospital, Central Aflao Hospital, Hohoe Government District Hospital and the Sogakope District Hospital.
The rest are Western Regional Hospital, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Swedru Government Hospital, Kasoa Central Clinic, Eastern Regional Hospital, Kwahu Government Hospital, Sunyani Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Police Hospital, 37 Military Hospital, Greater Accra Regional Hospital, National Cardiothoracic Centre, University of Ghana Medical Centre, Tema General Hospital, The Trust Hospital, Lapaz Community Hospital and Healthnet Airport Medical Center.
Director of Communications at the Melcom Group of Company, Godwin Avenorgbo, stated that there is a huge gap in health care facilitation between the urban and rural communities in Ghana.
As such, he said his outfit decided to present the medical fridges to the various healthcare facilities to help them store their medical supplies safely, maintain regulatory compliance, and ultimately provide better patient care.
He called on other Corporate Institutions to identify and collaborate with health experts to address disparities in the healthcare sector by providing essential medical equipment to ensure speedy service delivery.
He added that, in recognition of Melcome’s ongoing contributions to healthcare, the National Blood Service honored the Group on World Blood Donor Day, receiving the second-best award for its efforts to save lives.
The Company also donated furniture to the new pathology department of the 37 Military Hospital.
Recognizing the valuable role of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Melcom also supported their upcoming 75th anniversary with shopping vouchers and two television sets for winners in two categories of the GJA Awards.
Director of Communications mention that his outfit is acknowledging the efforts of DRN Ghana, an NGO focused on climate change education in schools, by providing shopping vouchers, Kenwood steam irons, Akai standing fans, and Akai rice cookers to winners in the Eastern and Central Regions.
He further called for an increased investment, coordination, and resource management to improve rural healthcare facilities in Ghana.
He pledged Melcom’s ongoing support and urged the National Blood Service to consider medical equipment donations as part of their award criteria.
The Chief Executive officer (CEO) of the National Blood Service, Dr. Shirley Owusu Ofori praised the Melcom Group of Companies for their decade-long support of blood drives in Ghana.
She stated that Melcom has consistently provided their premises, resources, and staff for voluntary blood donations over the past seven years.
She added that the event is particularly commendable as they have not only hosted them but also donated medical equipment to hospitals, benefiting about 25 facilities with blood bank refrigerators.
She stated that the country needs approximately 330,000 voluntary blood donors to meet its annual requirements, but current numbers fall short, with only about 200,000 donors, many of whom are not volunteers.
According to her, the national blood bank is facing a severe shortage, operating at just 55-60% capacity.
She urged all citizens to help bridge the 45% gap by donating blood to reach the target of 330,000 donors and ensure a steady supply for those in need.
Dr. Shirley Owusu Ofori, pledged to potential donors aged 17 to 60, encouraging them to commit to giving blood to save lives.
She also called on past donors to return and contribute again. “We need blood given during good times, so it is ready and available for patients when they need it urgently, not just in times of crisis.”
