Blood crisis: WHO advises on blood banks

Jun 22, 2013

WHO asks regional hospitals to establish their own blood bank collection centres to address the shortage of blood supply.

By Francis Emorut               

KAMWOKYA, Kampala - The World Health Organisation (WHO) has asked regional hospitals in the country to establish their own blood bank collection centres to address the shortage of blood supply.

“Regional hospitals should have their own blood banks, a place where you keep blood for a while in order to be used when an emergency case arises,” Benjamin Sensasi, the new WHO country representative said.

He emphasized the need for regional hospitals to be self-independent instead of relying on only Uganda Blood Bank Transfusion Services (UBTS) for blood supply.

The new representative was speaking at a blood donation exercise mounted by the health organization at its headquarters in Kamwokya, Kampala on Friday during which he appealed to Ugandans to willingly donate blood.

“You should be able to donate blood three times in a year in order to save lives,” he said.

“Blood donation should be free and it [blood] should be given voluntarily.”

Over 70 staff of WHO, UNAIDS and PATH donated blood to address the shortage of blood supply which has rocked the country recently.

Senior nursing officer of Nakasero Blood Bank, Robinah Balondemu said over 500 units of blood were expected to be collected from the volunteers during the Friday exercise.

She commended the organizations and their staff for donating blood to save lives.

“The mothers of the nation [referring to women, who were the majority blood donors] have done well in responding to the call of volunteers to donate blood after the country experienced shortage of blood supply recently,” said the nurse.   

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