Unical VC inaugurates solar-powered blood bank

Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, has inaugurated a solar-powered blood bank at the institution’s medical centre.

Obi, while inaugurating the project on Saturday in Calabar, commended the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for facilitating a grant for the installation of the equipment in the university.

The VC said that it was a thing of joy that the project has come to reality for the good and benefit of the institution.

“I appreciate the donors for an outstanding project and also to the team involved for utilizing the grant awarded in making the project a success,” she said.

The VC encouraged academics to use the opportunity by sending out proposals for such grants that would boost productivity and development in the university.

She urged other well-meaning individuals and organisations to borrow a leaf from IEEE’s by attracting similar projects to the institution.

A representative from the Cross River Ministry of Health, Dr David Ushie, said that childbirth and mortality rates could be eradicated by the prompt availability of blood.

“Blood is life; it feeds every cell in the human body with its precious nutrients,” he said.

The Project Coordinator, Dr Obinna Iheanacho, said that IEEE was committed to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity.

Iheanacho added that the grant, which UNICAL Medical Center was a beneficiary, was part of the institute’s humanitarian service for the university and its host communities.

He further disclosed that the setting up of the solar-powered blood bank in the medical centre seeks to address the problem of power supply for the blood bank.

He maintained that the absence of a constant power supply for storage was a major contributor to the unavailability of safe blood in most health facilities.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Iwara Iwara, applauded the team for the project.

“The Cross River Government will continue to extend their support towards the medical centre because the governor of the state is one that is passionate about health.

“The government in collaboration with the Ministry of Health will provide equipment for the smooth operation of the centre. We will continue to support the university,” he said.