KAMPALA – Ministry of Health in partnership with Rotarian Malaria Partners has on Tuesday 27 launched a three-month blood donation drive as part of the National Malaria Response Plan to the current Malaria upsurge in Uganda.
Launching the blood donation drive, State Minister for Health in charge of Primary Health Care, Dr Joyce Moriku Kaducu said “The blood donation campaign is against the background that Anaemia is one of the serious complications associated with severe malaria”
The Rotary Malaria blood donation campaign seeks to boost blood collection by at least 15% and will target secondary school children, corporate organisations, government Ministries, Agencies and Departments, key club members and the private sector.
The blood donation drive will move to the City Square, Nakasero (UBTS) offices, Shell Ben Kiwanuka and then move further to upcountry sites in selected districts. The Regional Blood banks of Kitovu, Mbale, Mbarara, Nakasero, Gulu will act as the main campaign centres.
According to the ministry, currently, there are 25,000 units of blood in the country, saying that “This campaign intends to increase the units of blood to 50,000 by November 2019.”
The Ministry of Health encourages the public to donate at least one pint of blood to save three lives
