Health
Children with malaria consume over 60% of collected blood
Quoting World Health Organisation guidelines, Kyeyune noted that Uganda, with a population of about 50 million, should collect blood from at least 1 percent of its population annually. This translates into 500,000 units of blood.
Laboratory technicians at the Uganda Blood Transfusion demostraing how the high Tech equipment operates this was at the head offices in Nakasero. (Photo by Juliet Kasirye)
By: Juliet Kasirye and Violet Nabatanzi, Journalists @New Vision
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Children suffering from severe anaemia caused by malaria now consume more than 60 percent of all blood collected, stretching an already strained supply.
Despite collecting 439,000 units of blood in the past year, close to its target of 460,000 units, the Executive Director of Uganda Blood Transfusion Service (UBTS), Dr Dorothy Kyeyune, said the demand continues to exceed supply.
She said blood is urgently needed by mothers experiencing pregnancy and childbirth complications, accident and trauma victims, cancer patients, and people living with sickle cell disease.
Quoting World Health Organisation guidelines, Kyeyune noted that Uganda, with a population of about 50 million, should collect blood from at least 1 percent of its population annually. This translates into 500,000 units of blood.
Speaking to the press at the UBTS in Nakasero over the weekend, Kyeyune said they were faced with a challenge of lack of willingness to donate blood among adults, forcing them to rely heavily on students. She called for increased public awareness campaigns to encourage more adults to donate blood.
Blood processing cost
Kyeyune revealed that processing a single unit of blood costs more than $100 (sh370,000), yet the blood is provided free of charge to over 600 government and private health facilities across the country.
To improve access to blood, Uganda currently operates regional blood banks in Gulu, Soroti, Mbale, Kampala, Masaka, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Arua, and Hoima, with additional regional blood banks under construction in Lira, Jinja, and Moroto.
According to the Health Sector Strategic Plan, every regional referral hospital is expected to have an attached regional blood bank, but only 10 out of the 17 referrals currently have operational blood banks.
Speaking to the press at the UBTS in Nakasero over the weekend, Kyeyune said they were faced with a challenge of lack of willingness to donate blood among adults, forcing them to rely heavily on students. She called for increased public awareness campaigns to encourage more adults to donate blood.
Blood processing cost
Kyeyune revealed that processing a single unit of blood costs more than $100 (sh370,000), yet the blood is provided free of charge to over 600 government and private health facilities across the country.
To improve access to blood, Uganda currently operates regional blood banks in Gulu, Soroti, Mbale, Kampala, Masaka, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Arua, and Hoima, with additional regional blood banks under construction in Lira, Jinja, and Moroto.
According to the Health Sector Strategic Plan, every regional referral hospital is expected to have an attached regional blood bank, but only 10 out of the 17 referrals currently have operational blood banks.
These facilities are supported by blood collection and distribution centres across the country to bring lifesaving services closer to patients. On June 12, this year, Uganda joined the rest of the World to commemorate World Blood Donor Day.
Kyeyune commended the contribution of Star Pharmaceuticals, which has supported blood donation by providing equipment to ensure that quality blood is stored.
The Chief Executive Officer of Star Pharmaceuticals Uganda Limited, Ani Prajith, said they partnered with UBTS by providing blood transfusion diagnostics and training of laboratory technicians.
Kyeyune commended the contribution of Star Pharmaceuticals, which has supported blood donation by providing equipment to ensure that quality blood is stored.
The Chief Executive Officer of Star Pharmaceuticals Uganda Limited, Ani Prajith, said they partnered with UBTS by providing blood transfusion diagnostics and training of laboratory technicians.