The Deputy Chief Executive, in charge of Administration and Human Resources at the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Yaa Pokuaa Baiden said blood is needed at various blood banks in the Western region.
According to Yaa Pokuaa Baiden, blood donations are needed to save victims of the Appiatse explosion tragedy.
She made this known during a blood donation exercise by the Authority which aimed at collecting about one hundred units of blood which would be distributed to the various health facilities in the Region.
This comes after the Western Regional Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ghana Health Service, Esther Samira Awudu-Issaka, revealed that blood has is scarce now due to the level of injuries among the explosion victims.
The PRO called on the general public to support exercise. He said that blood donors from all backgrounds are needed, to ensure that there was enough blood for the patients.
National Health Insurance Scheme
Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Executive of the NHIA said the Authority wishes to capture the majority of the population onto the scheme adding, “We recognize the importance of providing an extensive array of health care services to members.”
The NHIA has added the diagnosis and treatment of four childhood cancers onto the scheme's benefits regime.
Mrs Yaa Pokuaa Baiden said childhood cancers comprising Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, Burkitt Lymphoma, Retinoblastoma, and Wilms Tumor are now covered by the scheme, giving parents of affected children some financial relief.
In addition, a specialist Anti-breast Cancer drug, Herceptin, has also been added to the National Health Insurance Scheme medicines list. Ghana is the first coyntry in Sub-Sahara African to achieve this feat.
She further stated that the NHIA has more work to do in helping Ghana attain the Universal Health Coverage by 2030.