Chief Of Army Staff Commissions New Blood Bank at GAF Critical Care and Emergency Hospital

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu, has officially commissioned a newly constructed Blood Bank at the Ghana Armed Forces Critical Care and Emergency Hospital (GAFCCEH) in Burma Camp.

Speaking on behalf of the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS)on Thursday in Accra, Maj. Gen Gbetanu commended the initiative, describing it as a significant milestone in the Ghana Armed Forces’ (GAF) ongoing efforts to safeguard the health and well-being of its personnel, their families, and the general public.

He emphasised the importance of the new facility, noting that it would enable the delivery of timely, reliable, and sustainable healthcare, particularly in combat and emergency scenarios.

According to him, the blood bank would further strengthen GAF’s capacity to respond to mass casualties, conduct complex surgical procedures, and manage emergencies efficiently, while upholding high standards of safety and care.

“Access to critical resources such as blood can mean the difference between life and death,” he remarked.

Maj. Gen Gbetanu praised the GAF Medical Services for their professionalism across various domains, including peacekeeping operations, domestic humanitarian assistance, and disaster response.

He encouraged stakeholders to uphold international best practices in blood collection, screening, storage, and distribution.

The Commander of GAFCCEH, Brigadier General Thomas Aquinas Gbireh, highlighted the hospital’s previous reliance on the 37 Military Hospital for blood supply and expressed gratitude for its continuous support, especially during emergencies.

He stressed that the new facility would ease this burden and significantly enhance service delivery.

He further extended appreciation to Maj Gen Ewusi, the Stephens Family, and the Military High Command for their unwavering support, and commended the blood bank team for their commitment and innovation.

Judith Twumwaa, ISD