The Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS) has urged Ugandans to donate blood as the country faces a shortage during this period.
“We are going into the festive season and the holiday period and we anticipate to have low blood stocks because our major donors, the schools are on holiday. We therefore need to plan ahead of the festive season to bridge the gap to have enough blood,” UBTS Executive Director, Dr. Dorothy Kyeyune Byabazaire said.
She was on Friday speaking during the launch of a blood donation drive by PostBank in Kampala.
Data from Uganda Blood Transfusion Services indicates that Uganda requires approximately 1,000 units of blood daily and over 400,000 units annually.
The high demand for blood is attributed to the high rate of road carnage, illnesses among children, pregnant mothers, to mention but a few.
According to Dr.Byabazaire said with the festive season in the corner, there are many accidents and victims require much blood, noting that it is high time they stock it.
“Even if there are holidays, blood is needed. It is the reason we have partnered with PostBank to make sure there is enough blood for patients who need it.”
PostBank Uganda Managing Director, Julius Kakeeto ralied Ugandans to join the blood donation drive that he said is being carried out at all the bank branches around the country.
“We all know that many people travel a lot during the festive holidays. Unfortunately, the high road traffic often leads to accidents, and in such moments, blood can mean the difference between life and death. That is why we are calling upon all who are able to, to come and donate blood today so that together, we can save a life and this call is not only for today, but we encourage them to continuously to do so when an opportunity arises,”Kakeeto said.
He explained that a sound economy is one where the population is in good health and can actively participate in the different socio-economic activities.
Kakeeto explained that because of this, the bank’s health pillar, which is a key component of our Corporate Social Investment agenda has collaborated with partners like UBTS so that lives can be saved.
“A country needs a highly productive population that actively engages in the different activities within the economy, so that they can grow and prosper. As a bank, our purpose is to foster prosperity for Ugandans and that is why we are advocating for a healthy population who can participate in the country’s development at the different stages, and they can only do so when they are healthy.”