Napak: Matany Hospital in Blood Crisis

Matany hospital in Napaka district is facing a severe shortage of blood leaving hundreds of patients in need of transfusion helpless. The missionary founded hospital, which serves more than 40,000 patients from Teso, Karamoja, Acholi and Parts of Kenya has since postponed major surgeries that require blood for transfusion.

Grace Akello, a resident of Katakwi in Teso, who is attending to her sick child at the hospital, said without blood the survival of their children is uncertain. “I have now spent three weeks here, the kid needs to be operated but blood is not there. Doctors are saying it’s risky to start operating a patient without blood on standby, “she said.

Moses Modo another patient supposed to undergo surgery said he has spent two weeks without being operated on because of the blood crisis. “Doctors are ready to attend to my situation but there is no blood. Am just here waiting in case the hospital finds blood it will be my joy, “he said.

Betty Nakure, a mother attending to her sick husband said they are living in the hospital without any hope of blood being availed anytime soon. Brother Gunther Nahrich, administrator Matany hospital confirmed the blood crisis and suspension of major surgeries at the hospital. He said the blood crisis is countrywide because school children who form the bulk of blood donors are at the home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have tried and we are still trying but blood is not everywhere the whole country is experiencing blood shortage, “he said. Brother Gunther said that although the hospital has not yet recorded any deaths as a result of blood shortage, said it will not take long before they started patients because of blood shortage.  

He said Caritas, a Catholic founded organisation is organizing a blood donation drive but the process is still quite long. John Paul Kodet, the Napak district LC V chairperson has called for the urgent donation of blood to the hospital. He says there is no need to wait until people start dying of blood shortage before they act. 

Established by the Catholic Church in 1966, Matany hospital has several wards including the outpatient department, surgical, medical, and pediatric and TB wards. It also provides antenatal, laboratory, x-ray, ultrasound scan, and dental care and physiotherapy services among others.