Lira | tndNews has learned that hospitals and health centres are experiencing blood shortages in July due to famine, as well as when schools are closed for holidays.
The above information was revealed by James Ocen, the managing director of GiftLife Care Clinic.
He also stated that blood shortages increase in the months of February, April, May, August, and December.
Ocen cited a lack of blood, particularly when students are at home rather than in school.
He stated that many people who are capable of donating blood are unwilling to do so, resulting in the loss of lives.
GiftLife Care Clinic is one of the health centres that receives blood on demand from Lira Regional Referral Hospital and Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, according to Ocen.
Madam Zilly Buza, an administrator at PAG Medical Centre, confirmed the difficulties patients face when referred to Gulu because Lira Regional Referral Hospital occasionally runs out of blood.
Buza recalled a patient who died in 2023 after refusing to go to another hospital on referral due to a lack of blood.
She said that carers often choose not to go to another hospital because they do not have the funds or other resources to get them there.
Buza revealed that the blood units they receive from the blood bank take three days or longer, depending on the circumstances.
Pamela Awor, a mother whose child has been admitted to GiftLife due to malaria and pneumonia, said she can sometimes move around to look for blood for her child at almost every health clinic.
She stated that the child has been transfused nine times.
Patirck Muwonge, a blood donor who used to donate while still in school, stated that the challenge is that many people are afraid to learn their status when it comes to donating blood.
He stated that this is because non-student donors are more aware of their health status than students whose future looks promising.
Anyoda Hellen Grace Angupale, who works at the Lira Regional Referral Hospital blood bank, confirmed that there are bad days for blood collection.
Only 32 units of blood were collected during the June 15, 2024, Lira City marathon, which was organised by Lira Regional Referral Hospital and the Ministry of Health, according to her.
She encouraged people to donate their blood because life cannot exist without it. Angupale stated that blood donations should not be limited to students, pupils, and a few donors.
Also read: Moroto regional hosp. gets “blood collection and distribution center”
By Regina Lalam Olal.
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