Blood shortage cripples North Eastern Uganda hospitals, puts lives at risk
A severe blood shortage is paralyzing regional referral hospitals across North Eastern Uganda, putting the lives of countless patients in jeopardy.
The affected facilities, including Soroti, Lira, Moroto, and Mbale Regional Referral Hospitals, are struggling to manage this critical issue, which has now reached a dire point.
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At Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, the situation took a turn for the worse on Tuesday, September 4, 2024, following a breakdown of blood screening machines at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital.
Soroti Hospital relies on Mbale for blood screening, as it lacks its own equipment.
Dr. Ben Watmon, the Director of Soroti Hospital, stated that while the hospital currently has blood in stock, it cannot be used due to the screening issue.
Consequently, patients in urgent need of blood transfusions are being advised to seek care at Mulago National Referral Hospital or other facilities with available resources.
"We are in a critical situation. Anyone needing blood must travel to Mulago or other hospitals with blood supplies," Dr. Watmon explained.
The shortage is already impacting vulnerable patients. Sharon Aarakit, suffering from sickle cell disease, was due for a blood transfusion on Monday but has been left in a deteriorating condition due to the unavailability of screened blood.
"She's struggling to breathe as you can see," said Jane, one of Aarakit's attendants, expressing the dire situation.
The crisis is not limited to Soroti. At Soroti's pediatric ward, Christine Acam, whose child requires a blood transfusion, expressed her desperation over the shs600,000 needed to transport her child to Mulago for treatment.
Many families face similar challenges, struggling to afford the costs associated with travel and care.
Soroti Resident City Commissioner, Peter Pex Paak, has appealed to the community to seek medical care early to facilitate timely intervention, particularly in cases requiring blood transfusions.
He also called on the government to establish a blood bank with screening capabilities in Soroti to alleviate the ongoing shortage.
"We need urgent government intervention. Having a blood bank with screening services in Soroti will go a long way in saving lives," Paak emphasized.
Dr. Watmon mentioned that efforts are underway to engage the Ministry of Health to address the situation and restore blood supplies to the affected hospitals.
However, with no immediate resolution, many patients' lives remain in the balance as the crisis continues.
