WALA app launched drive voluntary blood donations in Ghana
Over the years, many Ghanaians have had to depend on family, friends
and paid volunteers for blood donations. This is sadly due to an
inadequate stock of blood in blood banks across the country.To address
this challenge, the National Blood Service and BISA have partnered to
develop the WALA health App to drive voluntary blood donations.
On Friday the 4th of May, 2018 Wala Health application was launched
at the Efua Sutherland Park. The event was graced by the Second Lady of
the Republic of Ghana, H.E Samira Bawumia. She encouraged the public to
download the application and also to donate blood to help save lives.
Minister of Communications, Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful stated that
technology has to have a practical application for our people and the
Wala App is a practical application for the people and the government is
ready to support practical app developers. Other dignitaries available
at the launch were The Ministry of health through its representative,
and the Mayor of Accra, Mohammed Adjei Sowah.
On the 3rd of August 2017, the National Blood Service Ghana signed an
agreement with Bisa, to partner in the development of Wala Health
Application. Developed by Raindolf Owusu a Ghanaian based software
developer and founder of Oasis Websoft and Dr. Denis Addo a healthcare
practitioner. Wala simply means Life in one of the Ghanaian dialects,
Ga. The app basically serves as a platform for blood donation, which
provides information on various blood donation events across the
country. It also enlightens its users on blood donation and its
importance. With other features available its users have access to
frequently asked questions, data on blood donations and daily tips on
other diseases such as diabetes and stroke. Users can also call the
National blood center call center directly from the app.
The mandate according to the National Blood Service Ghana is to
ensure an effective and coordinated national approach to the provision
of safe, adequate and effective blood and blood donations making it
accessible and affordable to all patients. Voluntary blood donations in
Ghana currently stands at 36% which is 3.6 over ten donations and also a
blood collection inverse per thousand population of 6.1. Which means
out of every thousand population only six people donate, which does not
meet the blood donation requirement of 270,000 units of blood that is a
percent of the population.
Technology has transformed many nations positively and as the world
is evolving we must evolve with it. Developed countries have more
effective health care systems as a result of the efficient use of
technology and as the developing country Ghana is, we have to adapt such
methods to improve the healthcare systems. As the number of mobile
applications are increasing everyday and people spend more time on their
phones, creating an awareness and equally providing an effective means
to ensure blood donations as an application can help meet the
requirements of the blood service as more individuals donate blood to
save lives.
During the launch of the application there was free health screening
and also blood donations. Let us accept voluntary blood donation as a
civic responsibility. Together we can achieve the WHO target of 100%
voluntary donation by 2020. Wala, Get Empowered To Save A Life Today.
Go to their website for more. www.walaapp.org
By Priscilla Maame Yaa Owusu
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