By Our Reporter
On Wednesday, Protea Hotel Kampala conducted a blood donation drive. This comes as part of their “Serve 660; Doing Good in Every Direction” campaign which seeks to create a positive and sustainable impact in society.
Speaking during the occasion, Samuel Wantate, UBTS Nakasero Blood Bank team lead, emphasized that that blood transfusion is critical in saving lives and appealed to more people to come forward and donate blood. “Every so often, blood donation is needed to save the lives of those involved in accidents especially motor accidents which are on a sharp rise, mothers who excessively bleed during childbirth, and those with medical conditions such as cancer, sickle cells, anemia, and blood disorders.”
He added that blood donations do not only save the lives of those in need of the transfusion but also help the donors to have healthier lives by minimizing the risk of hypertension, heart attack, blood clots, and unnecessary weight gain.
After donations, the blood is screened against transfusable infections such as HIV/AIDs, syphilis, and others, then taken to the Nakasero Blood Bank, Mengo Blood Bank, and other regional blood banks across the country where the blood is then accessible, at no cost.
During the blood donation drive, 71 units of blood were collected.