Human Rights Commission raps Blood Transfusion Services for refusing FDC donated blood

The Uganda Blood Transfusion Services(UBTS) have been accused of playing with the lives of Uganda’s by refusing blood collected by opposition political party Forum for Democratic Change(FDC).

The campaign spearheaded by FDC to collect blood suffered a setback when police and UBTS, the government body responsible for collection of blood decided to call off the drive early this month.

Speaking to journalists on Friday, the acting Uganda Human Rights Commission chairperson Stephen Basaliza said that it was appalling for the UBTS to refuse blood citing political reasons, a thing they said it regrettable.

“Donation of blood is a noble cause which should not be politicised or treated casually,”Basaliza said at the commission headquarters in Kampala.

“The need for blood does not know any distinctions as it can affect anyone any time. Blood donations should therefore be welcome as long as they meet the set medical requirements.”

Officials from UBTS are quoted to have said that they backed out of the blood donation arrangement because on a certain radio talk show, FDC politicised the matter.

According to officials from the government body(UHRC) it was disturbing for blood a drive organised to save lives to be called off just because of partisan politics putting the lives of Ugandans at a risk.

“There is no difference between blood of those from the NRM and the members of FDC.It is all red. It was appalling to refuse blood from FDC yet its shortage has had a negative impact on lives of many Ugandans.”

Uganda Blood Transfusion Services recently said they need more blood to meet their target of 380,000 units per year before starting donation campaigns all over the country.