Twellium and Zipline launch nationwide blood donation partnership

A Nationwide Blood Drive to Save 10,000 Lives

Twellium, in collaboration with Zipline, has initiated a one-year partnership aimed at conducting a nationwide blood drive to save over 10,000 lives. The launch of this initiative coincided with a blood donation exercise held at the Accra Technical Training Centre in the Greater Accra Region. The campaign, themed “To Share Love, Donate Blood,” is being carried out in conjunction with the National Blood Service, with the goal of mobilizing volunteer blood donors to enhance Ghana’s blood bank reserves and improve healthcare delivery.

The National Blood Service highlighted that currently, only six out of every 1000 Ghanaians donate blood, falling short of the expected 10 per 1000. This shortfall results in patients often waiting extended periods for blood transfusions. The initiative seeks to address this critical gap by encouraging more people to participate in blood donation efforts.

Mohammad Kawtharani, the General Manager of Twellium, represented by Miss Emelia Gyasi, emphasized the importance of the campaign. She stated, “This is more than just a campaign; it is a call to action. Across Ghana, hospitals continue to face critical shortages of blood. Behind every statistic is a mother in need during childbirth, a child fighting illness, or a victim of an accident.”

Through this year-long drive, Twellium aims to restock blood banks and save over 10,000 lives. The partnership will not only keep 10,000 families together but also provide 10,000 reasons to act and restore hope. It is a testament to the power of collective effort in making a difference.

Ms. Gyasi added that over 150 volunteers have participated in the drives held in Kumasi and Tamale in recent weeks. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to increase awareness and participation in blood donation across the country.

Daniel Merki, the Country Director for Zipline Ghana, expressed his support for the initiative. He said, “The National Blood Service exists to ensure that safe, adequate, and accessible blood is available to all who need it. At Zipline, our mission is to build the world’s first logistics system that serves all people equally. Together, these missions align on one simple but urgent truth: no Ghanaian should die because lifesaving blood is out of reach.”

Merki noted that the Twellium partnership offers a significant opportunity to expand support for the blood collection initiatives of the National Blood Service. The joint aim is to substantially increase the national blood supply, which is crucial for strengthening the Ghanaian healthcare system and saving countless lives.

Dr. Shirley Owusu-Ofori, the CEO of the National Blood Service, commended Twellium and Zipline for their collaborative efforts in mobilizing blood donations. She stated, “Donors across the length and breadth of Ghana will be nutritiously refreshed, and this will ripple into improved blood collection outcomes. Hence, increasing availability and access to blood and blood products for transfusion therapy.”

She further remarked that the initiative would contribute to national efforts aimed at establishing a safe and sustainable blood supply system based on 100% voluntary unpaid blood donation. This approach ensures that blood is collected ethically and efficiently, benefiting patients in need.

The partnership between Twellium and Zipline represents a significant step forward in addressing blood shortages and improving healthcare access in Ghana. By combining resources and expertise, both organizations are working towards a common goal: ensuring that every Ghanaian has access to life-saving blood when they need it most.