Blood products and life-saving anaesthetic drugs at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital's maternity ward will now be stored more safely following the donation of a specialised blood bank refrigerator worth Shs3.6 million by the Busoga College Mwiri Old Boys Association (MOBA).
The unit was delivered on June 20, 2026, to address critical cold-storage challenges in the hospital's maternity theatre and ensure the proper preservation of blood products and anaesthetic medications required during emergency surgical procedures.
The donation was spearheaded by the Mbawo Cohort, comprising alumni from the 1991 to 1996/97 academic years, as part of a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative ahead of the crowning of Mwiri League Season Six (2025–2026).
Mwiri League Chairman Shadrach Olinga said the league remains committed to initiatives that create meaningful community impact in addition to promoting networking and recreation among alumni.
“This machine is going to save lives here in Jinja, a town that raised us and that many of us still call home. There has been a persistent problem with cold storage for blood and drugs, and we are glad to have contributed what we can,” Olinga said.
MOBA President Daniel Mushabe commended the alumni for mobilising personal resources to procure the equipment, saying the donation reflects the spirit of community service and responsibility instilled in students at Busoga College Mwiri.
Cohort representative Gibson Nangono said the donation followed a formal needs assessment and a request from the hospital’s senior medical consultant.
He explained that maternal emergencies often require immediate access to blood transfusions and specialised drugs, which can lose effectiveness if not stored under appropriate temperature conditions.
Nangono noted that the refrigerator would play a critical role in ensuring that blood products and anaesthetic supplies remain readily available and safe for use during emergency procedures.
Dr Alfred Yayi, the medical director of Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, thanked MOBA for the donation and acknowledged the challenges the hospital continues to face in meeting the healthcare needs of its growing catchment population.
“Jinja Hospital was established in the 1930s as a modest health centre and only attained regional referral status in 1995. We now serve 12 entities — 11 districts across the Busoga sub-region and Jinja City. Our mandate has grown enormously, but our equipment has not kept pace,” Dr. Yayi said.
He confirmed that the refrigerator had already been installed in the maternity ward and would be used exclusively for storing blood products and anaesthetic supplies needed for emergency interventions.
Dr Yayi also appealed to other corporate organisations, alumni associations and development partners to support the hospital in addressing its infrastructure and equipment needs.
The donation is expected to enhance maternal healthcare services and strengthen the hospital’s capacity to respond to emergencies requiring blood transfusions and surgical procedures.
