Joined by corporate companies, the media and the public at large, Uganda Red Cross has embarked on a campaign to recruit voluntary blood donors through its volunteer base and membership structures. Uganda currently suffers a blood shortage that has left many hospitals stranded with patients that require blood transfusion. The month of January was an alarming period for most hospitals that registered many accident causalities during the festive Christmas season, as well as other sick people that need emergency blood transfusion.

As the situation worsened, various media houses were awash with stories about the dire shortage of blood in hospitals, at the Nakasero blood bank and the other regional blood banks and collection centers across the country. 

Uganda Red Cross Society in partnership with the Uganda Blood Transfusion Service embarked on a mobilization campaign to recruit voluntary blood donors.

“We are doing a country wide blood mobilization, a strategy that will see us bridging this blood shortage. We encourage all able people to donate blood. Uganda Red Cross has many members and volunteers. We want them to also donate and lead by example and that’s the new approach we are taking. We believe others will follow.” Sarah Mutegombwa, Health Manager – Blood Donor Recruitment at Uganda Red Cross Society.

The Uganda Red Cross members and volunteers were then joined by other corporate companies like NSSF, Kabaka Foundation (CBS FMs & BBS Terefayina), Capital FM, Movit Uganda, Indian Association in Uganda, Pakistan Association in Uganda, URA among others. The companies mobilized their own staff, clients, good will ambassadors and donated blood.   

Robert Kwesiga, Uganda Red Cross Secretary General appreciated the blood donors and encouraged others to voluntarily donate blood. 

“Blood donation is healthy. The doctors can’t take what we do not have. They only take blood after screening our bodies and ensuring that we are eligible. I encourage all Ugandans to join this noble cause of saving lives.”

Mutegombwa mentioned that since the blood drive started in January this year, about 25,731 units of blood have so far been collected.  She however appealed to Ugandans to continue donating since blood is continuously needed.

“This is not enough and we will continue calling upon others to join as voluntary blood donors. I want to thank the companies that have supported this drive, the blood donors who have voluntarily donated to save the lives of the people in hospitals that need blood.” Mutegombwa added.

Blood saves lives and improves health, but many patients requiring transfusion sometimes do not have timely access to safe blood because it is not always readily available. Many people have reluctantly donated, making it hard for the blood bank and other blood collection centers to operate as expected. Providing safe and adequate blood is part of Uganda’s National Health. Care package. According to the WHO standards, Uganda annually needs 1% of its total population to donate blood.