Vivo Energy Uganda, in collaboration with Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS) and other partners, have entered a partnership to mobilize blood amid the ever-growing demand .
This initiative aims to raise public awareness about the importance of blood donation, encourage regular participation among young people and the public in support of closing the gap in Uganda's annual blood collection target, while leveraging its Shell service stations as community donation hubs for the next twelve months.
The blood donation drive titled “Fueling Hope” at Shell service stations nationwide, is starting this September.
Joanita Mukasa Menya, Managing Director at Vivo Energy Uganda, emphasizes the importance of the “Fueling Hope” initiative.
"Our three big commitments is to health, education and the environment and so this partnership addressed the health service piece. Our vision is is to fuel Africa's future but there is no vision without life and that is how we chose blood donation to fuel hope.
"Dr. Charles Olaro, Director of Curative Services at the Ministry of Health, who represented the Minister of Health, says the move is remarkable .
"We are grateful for Vivo Energy's consistent support to the UBTS,in a life saving endeavor and supporting blood donation is not just a good thing but the right thing to do adding that public awareness of blood matters is a significant concern requiring a holistic approach."
Over 460,000 units of blood are on demand annually but this falls short by over 30 percent of the required units.
The Uganda Blood Transfusion Services says the blood is meant to cater for mothers with child complications, severe anaemia, sickle cell, cancer and accident victims.
The Executive Director of the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services Dorothy Kyeyune Byabazaire says 1500 units of blood are required everyday for over 600 hospitals in Uganda.
She adds that they hope to collect a significant amount of blood and are anticipating a huge number of people participating at the different Shell locations.
With over 10,000 vehicles visiting Shell stations nationwide daily, this initiative provides a substantial platform to meet the country’s blood collection requirements and make a significant impact on the nation’s healthcare system.
