By Johnson Kanyesige
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja is this Friday expected to commission the newly built Hoima regional blood bank, a facility expected to be a lasting solution to blood shortages in the region.
The function will take place in Kasingo cell, Hoima West division in Hoima City.
Speaking to our reporter at the office of the Hoima resident city commissioner (RCC) on Monday afternoon, Gilbert Sunday Abwooli, the project coordinator of the facility says they have installed all the required equipment to process blood and its products.
Sunday discloses that some of the blood services were being carried out in Kampala at head office however as of now the blood products can be processed using the machines which are installed at the facility.
He reveals that government of Uganda has used close to $ 3million for the entire project adding that it will serve all the 10 districts of Bunyoro, Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, Mubende and other districts in the northern part of the country like Oyam. He has rallied the locals in the region to donate blood to ensure the bank does not turn to be a white elephant.
Henry Benda Mutegeki, a Team leader at Uganda Blood Transfusion services says all is set for the official commissioning adding that the blood bank will now solve the challenge of locals trekking long distances in search of blood where now all services will be stationed in Kasingo cell at the blood bank premises.
The Hoima City East Division deputy resident commissioner Mr Moses Muyambi calls on locals to be vigilant against blockers who are fond of selling blood adding that the services are entirely free of charge.
