By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave
Two persistent misconceptions about blood donation, which deter potential donors has been debunked by a Public Health Physician Specialist with the 37 Military Hospital, Dr. Ewura Adjoa Ahimah Nunoo. Dr. Nunoo says the fears that, giving blood makes you age faster or that unused blood is discarded are unfounded.
“It is a myth that, donating blood will make you grow old quickly. Blood donation does not change your age in any way,” Dr. Nunoo stated on the GTV breakfast show today.
According to her, medical evidence shows that regular, eligible blood donation does not accelerate ageing. The body replaces donated red blood cells within weeks, and the process is considered safe for healthy adults within the recommended frequency.
She also debunked the myth that, unused donated blood is thrown away after some time.
“It is a myth that we throw blood away after some time because it is spoilt. We have a way we store the blood so it never goes to waste,” she explained.
According to Dr. Nunoo the blood available in the blood banks are already inadequate, so there is no way health facilities will allow donated blood to go bad, only to be thrown away.
