As the festive season draws closer, the Uganda Blood Transfusion services has issued an urgent call for blood donations to ensure the country is blood secure.
Dorothy Kyeyune the Executive director of the Uganda Blood Transfusion services said that the festive season is usually marred by increased motor accidents among others fatalities this increased demand for safe blood.
Kyeyune further pointed out that schools are usually their main source of blood but since they are closed for holidays, the country may suffer a shortage of blood during the festive season; she thus calls upon all eligible blood donors to reach out to the UBTS and donate blood.
“Access to safe blood is a critical healthcare need in Uganda, essential for saving lives in medical emergencies such as severe anemia, accidents, surgeries, childbirth complications, and chronic conditions like sickle cell disease. With blood having a limited shelf life of only 35 days, there is an ongoing demand for sustained collection efforts, and I want to thank PostBank Uganda for spearheading such a noble cause of hosting us as we engage in the blood donation activity.” Said Dr. Dorothy Kyeyune.
She noted that UBTS welcomes everyone who always responds positively and participates in the blood donation activity, revealing that this helps UBTS to ensure that there is enough blood in the different health facilities and in the blood-bank reserves so that lives can be saved.
Dr. Kyeyune made the remarks during a blood donation drive that kicked off today at the Post Bank headquarters at Nkuruma Road in Kampala.
Julius Kakeeto the Managing Director of Post Bank Uganda noted that the campaign is part of the corporate social responsibility to ensure improved health for all Ugandans especially during Christmas festivities.
“PostBank Uganda has today teamed up with Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS) to rally Ugandans to donate blood to ensure that health centers have enough blood to save lives.” Mr. Kakeeto stated.
The partnership between the two entities will see similar initiatives rolled out across the Northern, Eastern and Western regions of Uganda where the bank has a footprint.
“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 further explained that a sound economy is one where the population is in good health and can actively participate in the different socio-economic activities. That is why, through the bank’s health pillar, which is a key component of our Corporate Social Investment agenda (CSI), there’s need to collaborate 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,” Kakeeto highlighted.
According to recent data from Uganda Blood Transfusion Services, 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.
PostBank Uganda, through its CSI agenda, has consistently demonstrated its commitment to improving access to healthcare solutions and promoting health awareness. In line with this commitment, it has kicked off a blood drive in Kampala and will conduct similar initiatives in the Northern, Eastern, and Western regions of Uganda.
