JINJA — Companies in Jinja and Buikwe districts have joined a blood donation campaign seeking to collect 10,000 units as health authorities and community organisations work to improve blood availability for patients requiring transfusions.
The campaign, organised by the Indian community in the two districts in partnership with the Busoga Regional Blood Bank, is being conducted in factories and companies across the two districts.
The 10,000-unit target represents a significant increase from the 3,000 units targeted in previous campaigns.
Gurcharan Singh, the joint secretary of the Indian community, said the exercise had so far covered about half of the factories identified for participation.
“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,” Mr Singh said.
The campaign was launched at Yogi Steel Company, where workers participated in the blood donation exercise.
Organisers said expanding blood collection beyond traditional donor groups is important, particularly during periods when schools are closed.
Emmanuel Nasimolo of the Busoga Regional Blood Bank said private companies have become important partners in blood collection because schools, which contribute significantly to the national blood supply, are not available as donor centres throughout the year.
“That’s why we engage partners like companies to help us meet the numbers we need,” Mr Nasimolo said.
He encouraged more companies in the region to participate in blood donation drives to supplement collections from other donor groups.
Ripson Kennedy, secretary of the Indian community in Jinja, also called on factories and their employees to take part in the exercise.
He said sustained blood donation is necessary to support patients who require transfusions in hospitals.
The campaign has also drawn attention to the need for reliable blood supplies for women who develop complications during pregnancy or childbirth.
Caroline Ikome, a corporate affairs representative at Victoria Group of Companies, said the company had joined the annual exercise as part of its community support activities.
She said blood availability can be particularly important in emergencies involving pregnant women.
“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,” Ms Ikome said.
The organisers said the campaign will continue in factories and companies in Jinja and Buikwe until the targeted collections are achieved.
The initiative comes as blood collection agencies continue to rely on partnerships with institutions, companies and community groups to supplement regular donor programmes and maintain supplies for health facilities.