Members of Parliament led by the Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, have rallied Ugandans to donate blood to address the shortage of blood within the country.

“Let us donate blood, you never know who you will save you, your relatives or loved ones in the future. Nakasero Blood Bank has been around the country appealing to people to donate blood; we have a big shortage in the country. I want to request the Clerk to Parliament to organize a blood donation week at Parliament so that we MPs can be able to donate blood,” said Tayebwa.

The MP for Kole North, Samuel Opio, welcomed the call by Deputy Speaker revealing that according to the World Health Organisation, Uganda needs 450,000 units of blood annually; however, Uganda is only able to collect 350,000 units of blood annually.

“Several times we have presented on the floor of Parliament unfunded priorities for the blood bank. They need more funding to buy vehicles so that they may be able to bridge the gap. A lot of the blood is collected when we are in schools and Nakasero Blood Bank has indicated that whenever students are on holiday, there are huge shortages of blood, so it is important that we mobilize MPs and other adults so that they can fill this gap,” said Opio.

Christine Nandagire, the Bukomansimbi district Woman MP, cautioned MPs intending to donate blood to ensure they fulfill the requirements including; being 45Kgs and above and being between 18-60 years.

She noted, “Make sure that your diet is good and you don’t collapse, and also make sure you aren’t in your menstrual periods as ladies,” she said.

Sarah Opendi, the Tororo district Woman Member of Parliament, urged fellow MPs not to just speak about blood shortage in Uganda but to ensure they donate blood and also urged Parliament to ensure that the Shs10Bn required by Nakasero Blood Bank for this year is availed.