MTN Foundation cuts sod for the construction of a blood bank in Cape Coast.

Telecommunication giants MTN Ghana, through its MTN Foundation, has cut sod for the construction of a blood bank for the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital.

The project which is expected to be completed within four months of commencement, will comprise reception area, an office space, a donor lounge or corridor, a bleeding room, laboratory, fridge room, store room and a washroom.

Speaking about the GHc 300,000 project, Corporate Services Executive at MTN Ghana, Samuel Koranteng, was hopeful the facility will help the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department to save more lives.

‘‘It is our firm hope that, the availability of a blood bank for the department will help provide enough blood for emergency cases and also help reduce maternal mortality due to Obstetric Hemorrhage. Furthermore, the provision of this facility will reduce the department’s dependence on the main Teaching Hospitals Blood Bank which is already overburdened. As an organization with a mission to brighten the lives of our customers in the communities in which we operate, we believe we bring our mission to life when we invest in sustainable projects such as this’’ he said.

Mr. Koranteng who was speaking during the Foundation’s annual blood donation exercise revealed, they had invested over $13.5 million in health, education and economic empowerment.

‘‘Through the MTN Ghana Foundation we have invested over USD 13.5m in our three focus areas of health, education and economic empowerment. Through the health portfolio, the MTN Ghana foundation has made significant contribution to the delivery of healthcare across the country. Permit me to mention a few of the projects, The Foundation constructed a 40–Bed Maternity Block for the Tema General Hospital, refurbished the Maternity Ward for the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, constructed a Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit for the Tamale Teaching Hospital just to mention a few’’ he concluded.