Malaria related illnesses top blood transfusion demand

Speaking at Parliament after the walk against Malaria on Sunday the executive director of Uganda Blood Transfusions Service Dr Dorothy Kyeyune said most of the blood used for children with severe anaemia due to Malaria and pregnant women and these constitute about 60% of the blood collected.

She made these remarks in the presence of several Members of Parliament, officials from the ministry of Health, Amref Africa, Members of Lions club among other who participated in the walk.

The walk against Malaria which aimed at raising awareness about the disease was led by Deputy speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa who rallied the health ministry and political leaders to mobilize communities and promote bush clearing around homes.

The director in charge of public Health at the Health Ministry Dr Kyabayinze Daniel told this media that more districts in eastern , west Nile and Karamoja regions had registered an upsurge of Malaria cases.

Dr Tonny Kapsandui the program manager reproductive maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health at Amref said they have promoted an integrated approach to manage health challenges and made sure that the health facilities are fully capacitated enough to provide health services.

As part of the activities, Amref Health Africa with Africa Centers for Disease control and prevention with support from MasterCard Foundation also provided Covid -19 vaccination to people who participated in the walk.