Uganda Marks World Blood Donor Day Amid Ongoing Blood Shortages for Maternal Care

" The Ministry of Health lists haemorrhage as the primary direct cause of maternal deaths. Local studies attribute between 25% and 35% of maternal deaths to severe bleeding after childbirth. The World Health Organization reports Uganda's maternal mortality ratio at 189 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Uganda has lowered maternal mortality over the past decade. " The government has established nearly ten regional blood banks. Dr Richard Mugahi stated: "These are not banks with money. " The banks receive donations, screen for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis, maintain cold chain integrity, and distribute blood to hundreds of health facilities.

Kabale regional referral hospital in the southwest and Yumbe regional referral hospital in the northwest lack fully functional blood banking capacity. Collection levels at blood banks fall below national demand, leading to periodic shortages. The Ministry of Health has adopted the principle "Don't move the patient; move the blood" for emergency obstetric protocols.

Uganda conducts detailed maternal death reviews known as MPDR or Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response. Dr Lawrence Kazibwe, Deputy Executive Director at Kawempe National Referral Hospital, said the facility handles between 60 and 100 deliveries per day. Approximately half of deliveries at the hospital are Caesarean sections.

Primary postpartum haemorrhage affects between 10% and 15% of all deliveries within the first 24 hours after birth at Kawempe National Referral Hospital, according to Dr Lawrence Kazibwe. AllAfrica reported that delays in blood access contribute to preventable deaths identified through the maternal death reviews.