Hospitals struggle as blood banks run dry

Crisis. Blood is sorted out at a collection centre in Kampala. Some health facilities handle only emergency cases due to blood shortage. PHOTO BY RACHEL MABALA

What you need to know:

  • Minimal progress. Despite the increased blood collection countrywide, some transfusion cases are still being referred to Mulago, which is not operating at its expected capacity.
  • When asked about the situation, he said: “I don’t know. I am not at Kirudu hospital, but I will update you tomorrow (today) when I visit the hospital to assess the situation.”

Countrywide. Blood shortage continues to frustrate transfusion services in hospitals across the country despite Uganda Blood Transfusion Services collecting more than 5,000 units last week.
Reports indicate that several hospitals only address emergency services.

Recently, deaths were reported in Arua and Kawempe hospitals, while all those who needed blood transfusion in Jinja were referred to Mulago hospital.
When asked whether the situation had improved, the Mulago hospital spokesperson, Mr Enock Kusasira, said: “We are still okay, though we are operating only at that capacity, we are still not badly off.”
Mulago has been operating below 20 units of blood since the crisis started, instead of the usual 60 units needed.

In Kawempe hospital, Kampala, Dr Evelyn Nabunya, the health facility’s director, said the situation had not changed.
“It is still few days since we last gave you the information, and that period is too short for things to improve,” Dr Nabunya said.

Although no new deaths have been reported at the hospital as a result of lack of blood, Dr Nabunya said the situation is still worrying.
The director of Uganda-China Friendship Hospital Naguru, Kampala, could not be reached for a comment because he was reported out of office.

However, a source who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the situation at the facility was also dire.
“Do you think we are different? We are also in the same situation like other hospitals in the country,” the source said.

At Kirudu, a satellite hospital, our reporter was referred to Mr Nelson Obote, the spokesperson, who sits at Mulago, and occasionally visits the hospital.
When asked about the situation, he said: “I don’t know. I am not at Kirudu hospital, but I will update you tomorrow (today) when I visit the hospital to assess the situation.”

At Fort Portal regional blood bank, the machine for screening the blood broke down five months ago, worsening the situation.
The regional centre had collected 367 units of blood in the last one week, but could not screen it there.
The regional manager, Dr James Ngobi, said the centre has high demand, yet the supply has run out.

Dr Ngobi said they have to wait for the national blood bank at Nakasero in Kampala to screen the blood before it can be taken back for use, which is expensive and time consuming.
He said they are supposed to collect 2,000 units of blood monthly, but have always been collecting only 800 units and less every month.

At Masaka Regional Referral Hospital and other facilities within the catchment area, the situation was normal.
At Kalangala Health Centre IV, Dr Michael Suuna, the superintendent, said they have enough blood because the demand is low.

He said they usually use an average of 5 units of blood monthly because of few casualties and referrals to Masaka hospital.
Mr Ayubu Mutebi, the greater Masaka regional blood bank manager, said: “In Lyantonde, we don’t have any blood bank, but we still have enough in our store; the said storm in other parts of the country has not yet affected us.”

Blood collection drive boosted

Following the crisis across the country, the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services launched an impassioned campaign to raise more blood to address the shortages. Last week, the bank collected up to 5,250 units of blood to supply the health facilities. An official from the blood bank said they exceeded the target needed for the week but added that it would not solve the long-term crisis. Dr Dorothy Kyeyune Byabagaire, the executive director of the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services, said the response to their public appeal was overwhelming.
Meanwhile, Finance and Health ministries have pledged to provide funds to the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services to ensure hospitals do not run out of blood supplies.

“We, together with the NSSF, had set up a target of 4500 units but by today, we managed to collect up to 5,250 units. The response from the public was good and we encourage them to do more to save lives,” She said.

By Franklin Draku, Scovia Atuhaire & Henry Lubulwa