URCS surpasses blood donation target in Masindi

Masindi: The Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) has exceeded its target in the ongoing five-day blood donation drive in Masindi District, surpassing expectations for blood collection.

The initiative, which began on January 27 and runs until January 31, aimed to collect 1,500 units of blood. By Sunday, the URCS had already gathered 1,346 units at Kabalye Police Training School. Additional collections included 95 units on Monday and 75 units on Tuesday from Kabango and Budongo.

On Wednesday, the team extended its efforts to Kisanja, Walyooba, and Pakanyi trading centers. The drive continues on Thursday at Kyatiri Trading Centre and Kyatiri Market and will conclude on Friday with donation centers set up at Masindi Town Mosque, Katoma Stage (opposite Post Bank), Kirasa Trading Centre and Kijura Trading Centre.

Speaking exclusively to this publication, Stella Ajore, URCS Project Officer for First Aid and Donor Recruitment, emphasized the importance of consistent blood supply in the Bunyoro region.

“Our biggest blood donors are students, but during school holidays especially in December and January we experience severe shortages,” Ajore noted.

She attributed low community participation in blood donation to a lack of sensitization on its importance. However, she praised Kabalye Police Training School for actively supporting the drive, significantly boosting collection numbers.

According to John Bright, URCS Masindi Branch Manager, 50% of donated blood benefits children under five years old, 30% supports pregnant women and mothers in labor, 10% is used for minor surgeries and 10% is allocated for accident victims.

Bright stressed the urgent need for more donors, revealing that only three out of every four patients in need of a transfusion receive blood due to the limited number of donors.

Despite Uganda’s 40 million+ population, only 280,000 people donate blood annually a major shortfall.

He also issued a warning to government and private health facilities against selling donated blood, emphasizing that it is freely given and should be transfused at no cost.

Dr. Ronald Baguma, of Uganda Blood Transfusion Services, expressed concern over low donor turnout in communities and urged the public to embrace blood donation as a life-saving act.

“There is no machine that can generate blood only people can donate it to save lives,” Dr. Baguma emphasized.

Charles Asaba from Walyooba and Erik Tugume from Kisanja Kichope also voiced their support for blood donation and encouraged others to participate.

The Uganda Red Cross Society, in collaboration with Uganda Blood Transfusion Services and the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, launched this campaign to bring life-saving blood donation services closer to the community.

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