By Peter Ssebulime
Kampala: Uganda is among the countries with a high rate of motor accidents coupled with other medical emergencies such as women giving birth through cercarian procedures, the country also has a high number of citizens suffering from cancer alongside children’s suffering from chronic diseases such as the sick cell of which all requires a blood transfusion.
But According to information from Uganda Blood Transfusion Services, the country is now in a shortage of blood supply in all its centres across the country because of the outbreak of Covid-19 which led to the closure of schools where the medical agency used to collect most of the blood through voluntary donations.
Uganda Blood Bank Transfusion Services says that before the outbreak of the deadly disease, the country had enough stock of blood supplies in most of the regional blood banks and medical facilities which enabled proper handling of medical complications.
READ ALSO: Tycoon Sudhir In Blood Donation Drive To Save Lives!
“Currently as Nakasero Blood Bank, we are not doing well when it comes to blood collection despite the fact that the demands for blood in most health facilities in the country have gone up. There is a total need for the general public to respond to our call for voluntary blood donation,” said Esther Awori, the Nakasero Blood Bank Donor Recruiter.
She added that the availability of blood in medical facilities plays a key role in saving people’s lives especially to those who have involved in accidents but also it is vital among children with sick cell, anaemia among other health complications.
The officer made the appeal during blood donations drive organised by the Uganda Free Zones Authority, She observed that if both Government agencies alongside the Private Sector participate effectively in mobilising the general public towards voluntary blood donations the country couldn’t be experiencing blood supply shortages.
Doren Kembabazi, the Authority’s Manager in charge of public relations explained that on annual basis the Authority organises blood donations drive at there offices where members of the public and staffs of the Authority go and donate blood voluntarily.
“As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility, the Authority finds it needful to support those in need of blood that is why every year we share love to the general public by donating blood aiming to save people’s lives,” she told our reporter.
