MPs complain of constant blood shortage

Sep 06, 2019

Several legislators reported that their constituents are facing challenges traveling long distances to access blood, which in most cases is in short supply.

PARLIAMENT PLENARY

Members of Parliament have expressed concern over what they called rampant blood shortages in the country.

During the plenary sitting on Thursday, the MPs tasked government ministers on measures put in place to find lasting solutions

Several legislators reported that their constituents are facing challenges traveling long distances to access blood, which in most cases is in short supply.

MP Avur Jane Pacuto said in Pakwach, there is no general hospital and so my people walk all the way to Arua district to access blood, which is also in short supply.

Pacuto was also concerned that Pakwach district lacks an ambulance that would otherwise ease access to blood from Arua Hospital.

"If the government does not come quickly to address blood shortage in my district, the number of deaths will be worrisome," she said.

Aruu County MP, Odonga Otto, said that private facilities are selling blood to patients saying that it could partly explain why there are blood shortages.

"In some hospitals in Kampala, you pay sh3m to get blood; it is sad that people are giving blood freely but hospitals attach a cost to it," Otto said.

Otto asked the Ministry of Health to update Parliament on the state of bloodstock in the country and to reprimand health facilities engaged in selling blood.

On ambulances, State Minister of Health Sarah Opendi, told Parliament that the health ministry has come up with an ambulance policy and is awaiting consideration by Cabinet.

Opendi added that the ambulance network would operate just like the Uber taxi system where patients can be directed to a nearby ambulance.

"We propose to have stand-alone ambulances away from health facilities so that if there is any need, somebody makes a call and the call center detects a nearby ambulance just like how Uber operates," Opendi explained.

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