Blood shortage: Every little bit counts, activists say

PIC: An attendee donating blood at the 4040 Community Open Day in Kibuli, Kampala. (Credit: 40 Days Over 40 Smiles Foundation)

KAMPALA - As Uganda grapples with a shortage of blood in health facilities, healthcare activists think efforts should be focused on educating people on the importance of their individual contribution to the needed blood presence in the blood bank.

Esther Kalenzi, the founder, 40 Days Over 40 Smiles Foundation, said it is through clear understanding of what each unit of blood a person donates means to the blood bank that some people will wake up to curb the shortage.

"Every little bit counts," she said during a medical camp, dubbed 4040 Community Open Day in at St. John Baptist Primary School, Kikubamutwe, Kibuli on Saturday.

At the event, people donated 53 units of blood.

Earlier this month, medical authorities warned that blood transfusion supplies in the country were critically low.

The blood bank facility was reported to be empty, with only about 100 units of blood available, rather than the thousand-plus units required every day.

It was reported "almost (at) crisis level", resulting in the cancellation of hospital operations and prioritisation of cases.

This is why, with support of community leaders, the organisation mobilised residents of Kibuli to donate blood.

The event, attended by over 800 people also provided free medical and legal support to members in the community.

The event was organised by 40 Days Over 40 Smiles Foundation (4040), in partnership with The Medical Concierge Group (TMCG), Abii Clinic, Barefoot Law, International Medical Foundation and Chapter Four, as well as Uganda Blood Transfusion Service.

Out of the atttendes, 500 of consulted general doctors and skin specialists, 279 children received dewormers and 304 people received HIV testing and counselling. Also, 100 people did Hepatitis B screening, 21 of which were vaccinated and five who tested positive were given referrals for treatment. 

Twenty one people also received legal advice.

Doris Kahuura, who led the organising team, said: "We have already hosted three medical camps in the area since 2014. We are growing the number of services we provided at these events because of the positive feedback we have receive."