Spearheaded by the Executive Director, Ms. Allen Kagina, UNRA female staff have today kicked off a two-day blood donation drive in commemoration of International Women’s Day.
Ms Kagina said that blood donation is another way the Authority can use to save lives of people by giving part of its staff’s own blood to those who are involved in accidents and also to women since a number of them die in labour.
“We chose to donate blood as part of the celebrations to mark the International Women’s day in Uganda and also as part of the campaign we have on road safety.
You may be aware that we have a road safety campaign called Fika Salaama where we want to ensure that all road users are using our roads well to save lives. This is one campaign,” Ms Kagina. the ‘chief donor’ on Monday said.
According to the Uganda Blood Bank Transfusion Service (UBTS), Uganda has a population of over 35 million and needs a minimum of 340,000 units of safe blood per year. Over 240,000 units are collected annually, leaving a deficit of close to 100,000 units.
“I have just been told by friends here that there is a serious shortage of blood in Nakasero Blood Bank. Whereas I have donated 450ml, of these bags (blood bags), when a person gets an accident or a woman gives birth, the doctor may prescribe four of these and I have given just one.
We have a serious need. I want to encourage other institutions to come and support this drive by donating blood,” Ms Kagina noted.
The general public has also been invited to take part in this drive by visiting the Authority’s headquarters in Nakawa.
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