Uganda Red Cross Society collects over 1,700 blood units in Masindi
He warned that any health worker found selling donated blood will be held accountable, stressing that blood donation is entirely free.
Masindi: The Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS), in collaboration with Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom and Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS), has successfully collected 1,740 units of blood in a five-day donation drive held in Masindi District.
The campaign, which started on January 27 and ended on January 31, will resume in May this year.
The official launch event was held in Masindi Town at Katoma, opposite Post Bank, along Commercial Street.
Sarah Mutegombwa, the URCS Programs Manager in charge of blood donor recruitment, revealed that since partnering with Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, they have collected 2,100 blood units in two weeks across multiple locations, including: Bugagaizi East and West, Buliisa, Bujenje, Masindi Municipality.
She urged the community to embrace blood donation, emphasizing that blood expires within 35 days, yet demand remains high.
Mutegombwa noted that as the country they are required to collect 450,000 units of blood annually which is approximately 1% of the country’s population stressing that they collect 33,600 units annually thus a shortfall.
She reassured the public that URCS remains committed to ensuring adequate blood supply at Hoima Blood Bank but emphasized the need for community participation.
Daniel Kojjo, the Project Officer for Health at Omugo Development Foundation under Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, stressed the kingdom’s dedication to ensuring sufficient blood supply in the region.
He stressed that it’s a responsibility for the citizens to ensure there is enough blood since the region has got a blood bank.
Henry Mutegeki, a doctor from Uganda Blood Transfusion Services at Hoima Blood Bank asserted that Masindi General Hospital needs 1,200 units of blood annually but there are few donors in the district.
According to Mutegeki, the few donors in the district cannot even reach 4,000 thus appealed to the district officials to sensitize and mobilize the community to embrace blood donation.
Sserunkuma Abdullah, the Bunyoro Kingdom County Chief for Masindi Municipality, commended the government for establishing a blood bank in the region and urged citizens to donate blood as a life-saving measure.
Meanwhile, Moses Kirya, the Masindi District Speaker, emphasized the need for consistent blood donation but also raised concerns about reports of blood being sold in some health facilities, which discourages donors.
He warned that any health worker found selling donated blood will be held accountable, stressing that blood donation is entirely free.
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