National Blood Service Warns Against Illegal Transfusions as HIV Cases Rise in Ketu South

Ghanaian health experts are sounding alarms over critical public health challenges, ranging from the dangers of illegal blood markets to a surge in HIV infections in border regions. Dr. Williams Ansah-Otu of the National Blood Service and Dr. Ewura Adjoa Ahimah Nunoo from the 37 Military Hospital have issued urgent advisories to ensure patient safety and maintain adequate blood supplies. Simultaneously, the Ketu South Municipal Health Directorate is grappling with a concerning rise in HIV positivity rates, highlighting a multifaceted pressure on the nation's healthcare system.

Dr. Williams Ansah-Otu, a senior Laboratory Physician, has issued a stark warning against receiving blood from unvetted "blood sellers" or intermediaries operating near hospitals. He explained that incompatible blood transfusions can trigger acute haemolytic reactions, leading to severe complications such as kidney failure and death. The National Blood Service is particularly concerned about the illegal sale of blood stolen from hospital storage, emphasizing that proper screening and vetting through official hospital blood banks are the only ways to guarantee the safety of life-saving transfusions. He urged the public to avoid middlemen and seek help directly from hospital blood banks to prevent fatal haemolysis.

To combat chronic shortages in blood banks, Dr. Ewura Adjoa Ahimah Nunoo is working to dispel persistent myths that discourage potential donors. Speaking on the GTV Breakfast Show, she clarified that donating blood does not accelerate the aging process, as the body naturally replaces red blood cells within weeks. Furthermore, she addressed misconceptions about wastage, asserting that no unused blood is discarded; instead, it is stored under strict protocols to address the ongoing deficit in health facilities. By debunking these myths, health officials hope to encourage regular blood donation among healthy adults to stabilize national supplies.

While the blood service focuses on safety and supply, the Ketu South Municipality is facing a localized crisis with rising HIV infections attributed to cross-border movement and risky social behaviors. Data from the health directorate reveals a steady climb from 275 positive cases in 2024 to 300 in 2025, with 194 cases already recorded in the first half of 2026. Health officials attribute the 2.45% positivity rate to unprotected sex and high mobility during nighttime social events. Authorities are now calling for strengthened public education and enhanced border health services to mitigate these risks and provide necessary support for those affected.