The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) is targeting collection of over 6,000 units of blood in a week long countrywide blood donation drive. Speaking at the launch of NSSF’s 9th annual blood donation drive at Mulago Hospital this morning, the NSSF Managing Director, Richard Byarugaba said they made it an annual activity, collecting blood at […]
The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) is targeting collection of over 6,000 units of blood in a week long countrywide blood donation drive.
Speaking at the launch of NSSF’s 9th annual blood donation drive at Mulago Hospital this morning, the NSSF Managing Director, Richard Byarugaba said they made it an annual activity, collecting blood at a time when institutions of learning, the highest source of blood donors are in holiday.
Themed “stand up for life”, Byarugaba said the donation drive will take place at the Constitutional Square in Kampala, Workers House, Clock Tower, Mukwano Arcade and Owino Market, Kalerwe, Bwaise, Mukono, and Entebbe. It will also be held at NSSF upcountry branches in Mbale, Mbarara, Gulu, Arua, Fort Portal, Jinja, Mukono, Kabale and Masaka.
Last year, the NSSF blood donation drive helped Uganda Blood Transfusion Service (UBTS) collect over 4,500 units of blood. Uganda needs about 340,000 units of blood annually.
UTBS Director, Dr. Dorothy Kyeyune commended NSSF for championing donation drive, saying that whereas as UBTS, they is mandated to collect 1,200 units of blood daily to meet the country’s demand, they are only able to collect under 800, units due to various challenges that range from access to funding and other logistics.
