| BY AMBROSE GAHENE
Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS) recently recognized Airtel Uganda for rallying customers and well-wishers to donate blood across the country under their RED Campaign– an acronym for Be Responsible, Empathetic and Do it.
Uganda joined the rest of the world on June 14 to commemorate World Blood Donor Day under the 2021 theme “Give blood and keep the world beating”. Airtel Uganda has mobilised the public to donate blood, some of which is now helping patients.
The telecommunications company had contributed 1,500 units of blood to UBTS by the end of March.
Ms Sumin Namaganda, the company’s head of corporate communications, lauded UBTS for spearheading the blood donation drives across the country, and extending opportunities to corporate companies and Ugandans to participate.
“I commend the team for working through the tough unprecedented times while observing the SOP guidelines to maintain safe, sufficient and accessible blood supply in spite of the widespread effects of the coronavirus pandemic,” Ms Namaganda said.
The UBTS Principle Blood Donor Recruiter and National Blood Donation Coordinator, Mr William Mugisha, lauded Airtel’s campaign, saying due to the pandemic and restrictions on social gatherings that were the most viable way of blood collection, “it is crucial that we each become a mouthpiece for the cause of blood donation.”
He appealed to eligible blood donors to participate.
“Donating blood can save a life since it is a precious gift, and Airtel’s decision to create avenues for blood donors from all backgrounds to take part in the cause gives an assurance of having the right blood available for patients who need it, given its increasing demand for maternal centers, cancer patients and all those who are undergoing surgery,” Mr Mugisha said.
The RED Campaign aims at educating the public about the blood shortage in the country and encouraging people to donate it. It has previously done similar campaigns.
In October last year, Airtel Uganda partnered with UBTS by creating awareness among eligible blood donors so that they can become life-long donors. | |
