The ministry of Health, in partnership with the Indian Association of Uganda, has launched a month-long blood donation campaign aimed at collecting 25,000 units of blood to help address shortages in health facilities across the country.
The campaign was launched at the Indian Association offices on Lumumba Avenue in Kampala, with organisers calling on members of the public to donate blood and help save lives.
Dr Charles Olaro, the Director General of Health Services at the Ministry of Health, said Uganda currently faces a shortage of about 500,000 units of blood needed to meet the demand from patients requiring transfusions.
He said blood is particularly important in treating patients with severe malaria, people undergoing surgery, pregnant women with complications, victims of road crashes and other patients facing medical emergencies.
“The country has a shortfall of about 500,000 units to be able to deal with diseases that require blood, such as severe malaria, surgeries and other emergency cases like pregnant mothers and victims of road accidents,” Dr Olaro said.
He praised the Indian community for supporting blood donation and other health-related initiatives, including plans to support Ugandan children with heart conditions to access specialised treatment in India.
Sasi Nair, the secretary general of the Indian Association of Uganda, said the campaign is part of the association’s activities to celebrate India’s independence and the 82nd birthday of President Yoweri Museveni.
He said the campaign is intended to encourage more people to understand the importance of blood donation and make it part of their regular community service.
“Blood donation saves many people’s lives without discrimination and is therefore often called the gift of life,” Nair said.
He added that one donation can help save the lives of up to three people, depending on how the blood and its components are used.
The association said it hopes to collect 25,000 units during the one-month campaign, building on previous blood donation efforts.
Mohammed Vaheed, a member of the association, said the blood donation campaign started in 2023 after members became concerned about the need for more blood in health facilities.
He said the initiative has also helped bring communities together while creating greater awareness about the importance of donating blood.
“Firstly, the donation brings communities together and creates more awareness. Last year, we managed to collect about 15,000 blood units,” Vaheed said.
He said the association hopes continued blood donation campaigns will contribute to reducing shortages, especially as hospitals continue to need blood for emergency treatment, operations and patients suffering from conditions that require transfusion.
Jatin Udani, head of the Indian Medical Forum within the association, said members of the Indian community have participated in blood donation activities over the years and urged more people to join the campaign.
He described blood donation as one of the most valuable forms of charity because it directly helps people in need.
“Blood donation is the best charity one can do in the world,” Udani said, adding that each unit of donated blood can, on average, help save up to three lives.
The Ministry of Health has repeatedly encouraged eligible members of the public to donate blood because hospitals need a steady supply to respond to routine medical procedures as well as emergencies.
The campaign is expected to provide additional blood supplies to health facilities while encouraging more Ugandans and members of different communities to make regular blood donation part of their social responsibility.
