UBTS | BLOOD | DONATION 

KAMPALA - Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS) in partnership with Rotary club of Munyonyo and other partners have launched a blood donation drive aimed at raising 500units blood.

“We are experiencing blood shortage, due to fact that the schools that used to provide us with blood with over 70% are now closed, so we call upon the public to come and donate blood,” Dorothy Kyeyune the Director of UBTS said.

Kyeyune, was speaking during the launch of blood donation drive activities geared to mark World Blood Donor Day that is celebrated every June 14 annually held at their head offices in Nakasero.

According to Kyeyune, the demand for blood is so high, yet it also has short shelf life, our biggest donors are students who are now at home due to COVID-19 pandemic.

“Blood is used daily, we depend on donors to maintain our stocks. We also update our bloodstock every day of the week for you to always know which blood type you are,” she said.

Kyeyune added that they have engaged Kampala Rotary clubs, Indian Association, Corporate governance, Coca -Cola, Grant Thornton, Uganda Red Cross and others to sensitize people to donate blood.

Peter Kaggwa, the president Kampala Munyonyo Rotary club said this is to raise awareness for volunteers to come and safe a life, due to the Pandemic people have run away to donate blood.

Rotarians came up to make their contribution and also mobilize the communities to participate in blood donation. (Photos by Ramadhan Abbey)

As Rotarians, we have come to make our contribution and also mobilize the communities to participate in donation.

“I have realized the need of blood as a medical product, the need for blood is universal and does not discriminate any tribes, last time blood was donated but was not enough because the students were sent home due to Coronavirus,” he said.

He added, “There is only one factory of blood – you and me. If you donate blood, you also get the satisfaction of knowing your blood can make the different between life and death for someone.”

Donating blood is a combined effort let us donate blood and safe lives.

Rao Mohan, the Indian Association president said they have organized several groups including cooperates to donate blood.

“We have been quick responders for such drives,” he said.  

Who is illegible to donate blood?

The medics said during delivery, mothers need blood, sickle cell patients, children, accident victims and others are the most affected.

According to the 2020 police report on accidents, acting traffic director CP Lawrence Niwabiine indicated that there were 12, 249 accidents and 12, 858 in 2019.

Also, the maternal mortality ratio in Uganda is 336 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.

Infant mortality is 43 deaths per 1000 live births, with 42% of the mortality occurring during the neonatal period.

According to a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Ministry of Health and Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS and UBTS), the two organizations are working with village health teams to register potential donors.

To engage the public, the URCS has developed the Blood for Uganda App for both android and iOS which people can download and get to know the blood donation sites near them.

Robert Kwesiga, the Secretary General URCS said some numbers of donors have so far registered with the App. 

“When there is a need for blood from rare blood types, we activate the contacts in the App and they come to our offices to donate because most of them are walk-in donors.”

The app also creates a database of volunteers who can be reached in time of need and to achieve the No shortage of Blood goal. 

However, the App can only apply to people who use smartphones. Those who do not have them, have to rely on the honesty of medical workers.