Kainerugaba urges Ugandans to make blood donation a regular habit
“Every second counts,” Kainerugaba said, warning that women experiencing severe bleeding can deteriorate rapidly when blood and blood products are not immediately available.
Speaking at the launch of the countrywide campaign at Kololo Independence Grounds on September 5, 2026, Kainerugaba (2nd L) said postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), or excessive bleeding after childbirth, remains one of the country's biggest threats to maternal survival, accounting for 35% of maternal deaths. (Credit: Aloysius Kasoma)
KAMPALA - Uganda's National Postpartum Haemorrhage Champion Charlotte Kainerugaba has called on Ugandans to embrace regular blood donation as the country launched a campaign aimed at closing the gap in its annual blood requirement of about 450,000 units.
Kainerugaba, who was the chief guest at the launch, said increased community participation in blood donation is critical to saving mothers and other patients who require urgent transfusions.
Speaking at the launch of the countrywide campaign at Kololo Independence Grounds on September 5, 2026, Kainerugaba said postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), or excessive bleeding after childbirth, remains one of the country's biggest threats to maternal survival, accounting for 35% of maternal deaths.
“Every second counts,” Kainerugaba said, warning that women experiencing severe bleeding can deteriorate rapidly when blood and blood products are not immediately available.
She said the challenge is not only the quantity of blood collected, but also ensuring that it is available at the health facility where a patient needs it.
She also raised concern about anaemia among pregnant women, noting that about 50% of women who experience PPH are typically anaemic.
Charlotte Kainerugaba (L) encouraged eligible Ugandans to donate blood regularly, stressing that the country's blood supply depends entirely on human donors. (Credit: Aloysius Kasoma)
Kainerugaba urged women to seek antenatal care early and improve their nutrition by consuming iron- and vitamin-rich foods, including millet, beans, fruits, eggs and liver.
She also encouraged eligible Ugandans to donate blood regularly, stressing that the country's blood supply depends entirely on human donors.
Dr Jolly Beyeza-Kashesya, a senior consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital, said Uganda loses slightly more than 3,000 women annually to maternal mortality, with about one in three deaths linked to bleeding after childbirth.
Health ministry permanent secretary Dr Diana Atwiine said the Government is expanding regional blood storage capacity, with new blood banks planned for Moroto, Jinja and Kabale.
Atwiine said blood cannot be manufactured or bought like an ordinary commodity and therefore depends on sustained voluntary donation.
Dorothy Byabazaire of the Uganda Blood Transfusion Service said the campaign is necessary because health workers cannot save lives without adequate blood supplies.
“A woman should never die during childbirth. It’s unacceptable,” she said.
The launch seeks to turn blood donation into a regular community responsibility, with officials urging Ugandans to donate before emergencies occur.
With Uganda requiring about 450,000 units of blood every year, Kainerugaba said sustained voluntary donation remains essential to ensuring that mothers and other patients can access life-saving transfusions when they need them.