The Rotary Fraternity launches a blood bank at Mengo Hospital
Donating blood is equivalent to giving someone a second chance at life.
Donating blood is equivalent to giving someone a second chance at life. The Rotary Fraternity and Mengo Hospital worked together to establish a state-of-the-art blood bank in 2017. The aim of this noble cause was to bridge the gap of blood shortage in Uganda which has been a thin line between life and death for many people that have found themselves in need of a blood transfusion.
Cognisant of this need, the Rotary Fraternity started where they were with what they had. While the vision was to build a blood bank, it started as a blood collection centre. It was only in 2017 that it became a full-grown blood bank only second to Nakasero Blood Bank and regulated by Uganda Blood Transfusion Services UBTS. The facility serves hospitals allover Uganda with blood and blood products at no cost.
Since blood cannot be manufactured, its availability becomes solely dependent on the generosity of individuals. This has propelled a continuous expression of generosity by Ugandans from all walks of life. School and church communities, companies and individuals who walk into the facility and ask to donate their blood are some of the people that are sustaining the supply of blood at the blood bank and in Uganda as a whole.
The donors receive pre-donor counselling which enlightens potential donors on the benefits of blood donation before they are taken to the triage room where they are examined on if they meet donor requirements. Those that qualify are then taken to the donor room where the blood donation takes place. The facility offers refreshments to the donor to ensure they in good shape before leaving the facility given
Mengo Hospital continues to conduct daily donation drives. Many other companies like QC Cipla have partnered with the hospital to hold donation drives and solve the growing shortage of blood in the wake of the COVID19 pandemic. Blood Donation is a Great Act of Kindness.
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