Reports indicate that the Busoga subregion has lost a significant number of mothers, succumbing to excessive bleeding, particularly during childbirth, as health facilities struggle with a lack of available blood. Not only maternal health is at risk, but child health as well, with children—especially those suffering from severe anemia—facing a high risk of losing their lives.
To address these challenges, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in partnership with the Ministry of Health, is working to combat blood shortages in Busoga. They are developing solutions to meet the region’s monthly blood demand of 3,200 units.
According to the organization, they aim to address the current shortage of 1,200 units and create sustainable systems to ensure a stable blood supply throughout the year.
Busoga requires 3,200 units of blood each month, but the region is currently collecting only 1,800 to 2,000 units, resulting in a deficit of 1,200 units. This shortfall is often covered by sourcing blood from other regions, particularly Buganda.
Most blood donors are school-going children, but blood donation drops significantly during school holidays.
Reports indicate that the Busoga subregion has lost a significant number of mothers, succumbing to excessive bleeding, particularly during childbirth, as health facilities struggle with a lack of available blood. Not only maternal health is at risk, but child health as well, with children—especially those suffering from severe anemia—facing a high risk of losing their lives.
To address these challenges, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in partnership with the Ministry of Health, is working to combat blood shortages in Busoga. They are developing solutions to meet the region’s monthly blood demand of 3,200 units.
According to the organization, they aim to address the current shortage of 1,200 units and create sustainable systems to ensure a stable blood supply throughout the year.
Busoga requires 3,200 units of blood each month, but the region is currently collecting only 1,800 to 2,000 units, resulting in a deficit of 1,200 units. This shortfall is often covered by sourcing blood from other regions, particularly Buganda.
Most blood donors are school-going children, but blood donation drops significantly during school holidays.
Muhammad Mukalu, Minister of Health for Kigulu Chiefdom in the Busoga Kingdom, stressed that mistrust in the health system—due to reports of blood being sold—has discouraged community members from donating.
“Many argue that even when they need blood, they must pay for it, which diminishes the incentive to donate voluntarily,” Mukalu told Busoga Today on Thursday, September 20, 2024, after a planning meeting at Jinja City Hall with officials from KOICA and the Ministry of Health.
Accident victims are often referred to national hospitals due to blood shortages in local health facilities. The overall health system is overwhelmed by the need to refer patients to higher-level hospitals for treatment that could be managed locally with adequate blood supplies.
Mukalu stated, “The key questions are: How do we increase blood donation? How do we get more people to donate despite the challenges? How do we rebuild trust so that people are encouraged to donate, knowing that blood will be used transparently?”
He expressed his concern to community members, calling for their participation in the campaign. “How would you feel if you lost a loved one, even if you had the money to buy blood, but there was none available?” he questioned.
The Ministry of Health, with support from KOICA, is in the process of launching a project to build a blood bank in Busoga to process donations from the community.
Also a lecturer at Makerere University Business School (MUBS) Jinja campus, Mukalu emphasized that efforts are needed to create sustainable systems and structures to maintain a steady supply of blood to keep the bank operational. Building the infrastructure alone will not be sufficient without the necessary community support.
He called for youth engagement, mobilizing groups such as boda-boda riders, artists, sportspeople, and the business community to participate in regular blood donation campaigns. Cultural leaders, health ministers, and clan leaders are also encouraged to integrate blood donation into their work plans and budgets.
To increase public awareness, Mukalu advocates for rebuilding trust in the health system by addressing concerns about the sale of blood transparently and ensuring that community members can observe the direct impact of their contributions.
