SOROTI, UGANDA – In a significant move to bolster healthcare services in Eastern Uganda, the government has officially commissioned a new regional blood bank in Soroti. The UGX 6.3 billion facility is a major step toward addressing the persistent and life-threatening blood shortages that have plagued the Teso sub-region for years.
The facility, situated along Soroti-Amuria road, was officially launched by Vice President Rtd. Maj. Jessica Alupo. The new blood bank is designed to function as a comprehensive collection, storage, and distribution center for blood, serving a catchment area of ten districts, including Soroti, Kapelebyong, Katakwi, Amuria, and Kumi.
Previously, hospitals in the Teso region were heavily reliant on the Mbale Blood Bank, a logistical challenge that often resulted in delays and a severe strain on healthcare workers. The new Soroti facility is equipped to collect and process up to 2,000 units of blood, a substantial increase from the 900 units its predecessor, a smaller collection center, could handle.
Speaking at the commissioning, Vice President Alupo emphasized the government’s commitment to bringing essential services closer to the people. She urged all able-bodied Ugandans, particularly the youth, to embrace voluntary blood donation as a civic responsibility. “Our presence here today is to reaffirm that the lives of the people and all Ugandans matter,” Alupo stated, adding that the blood from the facility must be provided freely and fairly.
Dr. Dorothy Kyeyune-Byabazaire, the Executive Director of the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS), highlighted the critical role of the new blood bank in improving timely access to safe blood. She noted that the facility will be vital for a wide range of life-saving interventions, including maternal health, trauma management, and the treatment of severe anemia in children, a common problem in the region due to conditions like malaria.
The new blood bank, constructed under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer Program (UgIFT), also includes high-tech equipment with a ten-year warranty. It joins Hoima and Arua as one of the ten regional blood banks in Uganda, bringing the total number to ten.
While the new facility is a welcome development, a report from the Parliamentary Committee on Government Assurances and Implementation recently raised concerns about the wider healthcare infrastructure in the region. The report faulted the government for delays in the construction of a new regional referral hospital in Soroti, noting that the current hospital operates in old and deteriorating structures.
Despite these broader challenges, the new blood bank represents a significant and tangible investment in the health of the Teso sub-region. The collaborative effort, which also saw partnerships with the Uganda Red Cross Society, Lions Clubs, and the Rotary Club of Soroti, is expected to make a profound difference in saving lives and strengthening the healthcare delivery system in Eastern Uganda.
