The Queen of the Bunyoro Kingdom, Margaret Karunga Adyeri, has called on her subjects to donate blood to help save lives. Speaking during a blood donation drive organized by the Bunyoro Kingdom in collaboration with the Uganda Red Cross Society, the Omugo stated that ahead of the coronation anniversary on June 11, they aim to collect at least 200,000 units of blood.
“We have observed an increase in deaths due to blood shortages. Therefore, we partnered with our people to raise 200,000 units of blood and to educate them on the importance of donating blood. When you donate blood, you save a life that you may not even know,” the Omugo said.
“It’s heartbreaking to hear that our people continue to die because medical facilities lack blood. I know our people in Bunyoro are healthy and capable of donating blood. We just need to inform them why it is essential. Are you happy to see mothers or accident victims die while you have plenty of blood? This is the time to save them.”
Irene Nakasiita, the spokesperson for the Uganda Red Cross, noted that while Bunyoro requires over 200,000 units of blood per year, the region only collects between 120,000 to 140,000 units.
“So, if the region needs 200,000 units per year and only collects 120,000 to 140,000, you can see the deficit. This means many lives continue to be lost due to blood shortages. This is not because there are no potential donors, but because many don’t care or understand the importance of donating blood until they lose a relative due to blood scarcity,” Nakasiita said.
“We urge all cultural leaders, religious leaders, political leaders, and other stakeholders to join the cause of educating Ugandans on the importance of donating blood. There is no industry manufacturing blood; we have to get it from people.”
Mike Gabura, the laboratory manager for Kakindo Health Centre IV, which serves six sub-counties in Kagadi and Kakumiro districts, reported that they receive at least 100 patients needing transfusion services per month. However, due to the scarcity of blood, they can hardly attend to them.
He explained that while their demand is 40 units of blood per week, the Hoima blood collection centre supplies them with only 20 units, which is usually consumed within a few days.
Gabura highlighted a high demand for blood transfusion services for delivering mothers, accident victims, and severe malaria patients.
“While cases of severe malaria are high, there is a problem with cultural beliefs, particularly among the Bakiga and Banyarwanda communities. Instead of visiting health centres when ill, they resort to cultural practices or use razor blades to cut the neck and stomach, believing they are removing poison,” he said.
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