The Uganda Blood Transfusion Service (UBTS) is a specialized institution under the Ministry of Health which is mandated to provide safe blood and blood products to hospitals for patients throughout Uganda. UBTS collects blood from 100% voluntary non-remunerated blood donors. Mobilization of blood donors has been mainly conducted through educational institutions like universities, secondary schools due to the high prevalence of transfusion transmissible infections among general population. Most of the donors are young people, with 55% of the blood donors are aged between 17 and 27 years.
During the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, with all Educational Institutions closed and the lockdowns, UBTS experienced shortage of blood supplies and had to use innovative ways of mobilizing blood donors. A call center in Nakasero blood bank in Kampala was created to reach donors in the communities, and the youths nationwide. A donor recruitment application, “Blood 4 Uganda”, was developed that links UBTS to donors, the majority of whom often use social media platforms like twitter, Facebook, Telegram. The application and the e-donor recruitment strategies improved communication to blood donors in communities and enabled cost-effective mobilization in these challenging times.
UBTS also successfully recruited donors who recovered from Covid-19 to participate in Uganda’s clinical trial on the efficacy of convalescent plasma in the treatment COVID-19 patients.
Hadijah Ntambi 
Hadijah is a 23-year-old young woman who works as a street vendor on Ben Kiwanuka, – in downtown Kampala. Hadijah, decided to donate for the first time when she saw the Red Cross tent nearby.
“I had previously seen the donation team, but didn’t have the time to go and donate. Today I decided to do it”.
“I feel well, the same as when I got here. I thought I might get dizzy, but I am fine. I am also happy because I decided voluntarily. If it is my blood that is going to save someone’s life, let me give it! So they will not die”.
Simon Kinene
Simon Kinene (left) is with friends Gloria and Steven. They encourage and remind each other to come to the blood service to donate.
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