Govt told to set up regional blood bank in Iganga

Iganga District chairperson, Ezra Gabula, has asked the government to provide a blood bank at Iganga General Hospital so as the end the persistent crisis from blood shortage at the facility.

Gabula said the hospital receives many patients from both Iganga district and the seven surrounding districts, but the hospital is unable to offer assistance due to inadequate blood supply.

The hospital’s management attributes the problem to the small units of blood they receive compared to the high number of patients they handle.

Gabula made the call at a one-day blood donation drive organised by the Indian community in Iganga Municipality at their prayer temple on Old Market Street where 100 units of blood were collected.

Gabula hailed the Indian community for the initiative and regular support to the community whenever needs arise, especially in times of hunger and shortage of medical supplies in hospitals, and materials in schools among others.

The chairperson Indian community, Kalpesh Patel, said that they organised the drive as part of celebrations to mark India’s 76th independence anniversary.

Their community, he revealed had similar events throughout Uganda.

Adonia Nanhumba who led the team from the Jinja Blood Bank, commended the Indian community for the cause and asked the public to always embrace blood donation to save people’s lives.

Iganga General Hospital administrator, Aramanthan Gabooli, said that they receive about 600 patients on a daily basis but some of them need blood which is always unavailable.

He said that this puts patients’ lives at risk as they refer them to other health facilities and appealed to the government to elevate the hospital to referral status in order to get more resources at the facility.

Iganga General Hospital serves patients from the surrounding districts of Luuka, Mayuge, Bugiri, Namayingo, Kaliro, Bugweri and Namutumba, which have health centre IVs as their main hospitals.