|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
PostBank Uganda in partnership with the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS) on Friday launched a countrywide blood donation campaign aimed at addressing the persistent blood shortage in health facilities in Uganda.
The drive, officially kicked off at PostBank’s Head Office in Kampala, seeks to encourage Ugandans to donate blood and ensure that hospitals have adequate supplies to save lives. Similar initiatives will soon be rolled out in the Northern, Eastern, and Western regions where PostBank has a branch presence.
During the launch, Julius Kakeeto, the Managing Director of PostBank Uganda said, “We all know that many people travel a lot during the festive holidays. Unfortunately, the high road traffic often leads to accidents, and in such moments, blood can mean the difference between life and death. That is why we are calling upon all who are able to come and donate blood today so that together we can save a life. And this call is not only for today, but we encourage them to continuously do so when an opportunity arises.”
Kakeeto further explained that a sound economy is one where the population is in good health and can actively participate in different socio-economic activities. That is why, through the bank’s health pillar, which is a key component of our Corporate Social Investment agenda (CSI), there’s a need to collaborate with partners like UBTS so that lives can be saved.
“A country needs a highly productive population that actively engages in the different activities within the economy, so that they can grow and prosper. As a bank, our purpose is to foster prosperity for Ugandans and that is why we are advocating for a healthy population who can participate in the country’s development at the different stages, and they can only do so when they are healthy,” Kakeeto highlighted.
According to recent data from Uganda Blood Transfusion Services, Uganda requires approximately 1,000 units of blood daily and over 400,000 units annually. The high demand for blood is attributed to the high rate of road carnage, and illnesses among children, and pregnant mothers, to mention but a few.
The UBTS Executive Director, Dr Dorothy Kyeyune Byabazaire said, “Access to safe blood is a critical healthcare need in Uganda, essential for saving lives in medical emergencies such as severe anemia, accidents, surgeries, childbirth complications, and chronic conditions like sickle cell disease. With blood having a limited shelf life of only 35 days, there is an ongoing demand for sustained collection efforts, and I want to thank PostBank Uganda for spearheading such a noble cause of hosting us as we engage in the blood donation activity.”
Dr. Byabazaire expressed UBTS’s appreciation to everyone who always responds positively and participates in the blood donation activity, revealing that this helps UBTS to ensure that there is enough blood in the different health facilities and the blood bank reserves so that lives can be saved.
Through its CSI agenda, PostBank Uganda has consistently demonstrated its commitment to improving access to healthcare solutions and promoting health awareness. In line with this commitment, it has kicked off a blood drive in Kampala and will conduct similar initiatives in the northern, eastern, and Western regions of Uganda.