By Swift Reporter
The Indian community in Jinja and Buikwe districts has launched a blood donation campaign targeting 10,000 units, more than three times its previous target of 3,000 units, amid concerns over blood shortages in Ugandan hospitals.
The campaign, launched at Yogi Steel Company, is being conducted across factories and companies in the two districts in partnership with the Busoga Regional Blood Bank.
Gurcharan Singh, the joint secretary of the Indian community, said about half of the targeted factories had already been covered, with encouraging participation from workers.
“We have a target of 10,000 units compared to 3,000 units in previous years. The turnout has been good, and we have already covered 50 per cent of the factories in both districts,” Singh said.
Ripson Kennedy, secretary of the Indian community in Jinja, urged more factories and workers to participate, saying blood donations are essential for patients who require transfusions.
Emmanuel Nasimolo of the Busoga Regional Blood Bank said partnerships with private companies were important in helping meet annual blood collection targets, particularly when schools, which are major sources of donated blood, are unavailable during holidays.
“That is why we engage partners like companies to help us meet the numbers we need,” Nasimolo said.
Caroline Ikome, corporate affairs representative at Victoria Group of Companies, said the company participates in the annual blood drive as part of its community support efforts.
She said the campaign is particularly important for pregnant women who may require emergency blood transfusions during childbirth.
“We want pregnant mothers to reach hospitals when blood is available. When blood is not available locally, patients may have to travel to Kampala, and that distance can cost someone their life,” Ikome said.
The campaign will continue across factories in Jinja and Buikwe as organisers work towards the 10,000-unit target.
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