It is understandable that all our attention has been turned towards the raging pandemic but 16 women bringing new life into this world today may not see another sunrise because there was no blood to save their lives. Only five pints of blood could save them all. We can all do something to save them!

The World Blood Donor Day – Ms Anne Lumbasi

Today CEHURD joins the world to give a resounding applause to the voluntary unpaid blood donors who answer the call of humanity and save lives that would otherwise perish. This year’s theme for the World Blood Donor Day is “Give Blood and Keep the World Beating” Did you know that one pint of blood that you donate can save 3 lives! In the words of Anne Frank “No one has ever become poor by giving”. We appreciate the thousands of men and women who willingly give this essential life-saving commodity that keeps the world pulsating even amidst this pandemic.

Like many things, the pandemic has impacted on the daily blood collections especially with the closure of schools which are major platforms for blood donation drives. We should not forget that despite the pandemic, life goes on! Women and girls are still giving birth and in need of blood, cancer patients and children with anemia heavily rely on blood and its commodities, not to mention hospitals are still receiving accident victims in need of this life saving commodity. 

Blood shortage in health facilities is believed to be one of the major factors contributing to high death rates among women and young girls giving birth. According to the Annual Health Sector Performance Report (AHSPR) 2017/2018, hemorrhage was the leading cause of maternal deaths accounting at 48.5% almost half of the deaths reported. Anemia was also ranked 3^rd among the leading causes of death while injuries from road accidents was ranked the 6^th which all require availability of blood.   

Throughout this pandemic, hospitals have struggled with a critical shortage of blood which is affecting services and putting the lives of many Ugandans at risk every day. It is understandable that all our attention has been turned towards the raving pandemic but 16 women bringing new life into this world today may not see another sunrise because there was no blood to save their lives. Only five pints of blood could save them all. We can all do something to save them!

The Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS) is faced with numerous challenges that make it extremely difficult to meet the national blood collection target which is equivalent to 1% of Uganda’s population per annum as recommended by the World Health Organization. In fact, challenges such as limited funding and lack of human resources were aggravated by the pandemic but UBTS had to innovate to ensure the daily collection continues and that lives are not needlessly lost. They brought blood donation drives closer to the people within communities, called on previous donors and partnered with Organisations to have staff donate blood.

A day like this is meant to raise awareness about the existing need for blood and to appreciate all blood donors for that precious priceless life-saving gift. This life saving commodity cannot be manufactured so CEHURD together with the world is clapping for you and you. A pint of blood can go so far! May we all continue to keep the world beating by giving!You can book an appointment to give blood by calling The Uganda Blood Transfusion Services on their toll free line O800 122 422.

The writer is a Senior program officer at the Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD).

By Grace Kenganzi

“During the lockdown, the media kept us abreast of everything that was happening“

Perhaps if we recognised the value of the press, we would be more inclined to protecting their freedoms. The most recent Internet shutdown gave us a fresh appreciation for mainstream media since we got most of our updates from TV, radio and newspapers.

– Ms gRACE KENGANZI

An independent, free and pluralistic press is important in the attainment of human rights. These three tenets are the foundation on which the vision of World Press Freedom Day was built in 1991 on May 3rd. This year is the 30th anniversary of this day, which presents a good time to analyse whether our press is truly free. Typing the last statement, I can hear several people say, “of course it is not!” Metaphorically speaking. We have seen the trouble members of the press have faced, especially in the last months, as they did their work. A quick search of the hashtag #JournalismIsNotACrime highlights the different struggles journalists have faced. From intimidation and imprisonment to face-offs with the police, there is no doubt that freedom has not yet come.

Perhaps if we recognised the value of the press, we would be more inclined to protecting their freedoms. The most recent Internet shutdown gave us a fresh appreciation for mainstream media since we got most of our updates from TV, radio and newspapers.

During the lockdown, the media kept us abreast of everything that was happening. With an increasing number of citizen journalists, we found out about women giving birth on their way to hospital, sexual and gender based violence happening in homes, and sex workers being denied access to information on COVID-19, among other issues. These reports, among other things, made it possible for civil society organisations like CEHURD to make a case to the COVID-19 National Taskforce, and these issues were addressed. For starters, restrictions on transport were relaxed to allow pregnant women access health services. CEHURD staff also got permission to move and therefore provide legal support to different people.

Investigative journalists are always exposing injustices in the health system. In some instances, the public is not even aware that these are injustices. For example, some people pay for medicines and services when they are supposed to access them for free. In 2019, an investigative story exposed a drug racket that was selling malaria drugs yet these were supposed to be free. After that story, more people exposed health care facilities and providers who were selling drugs where they shouldn’t have.

There are many more examples of the crucial part that the media plays in advancing the right to health. It is therefore a resourceful partner in advocacy and action research, besides providing information to the masses. Sure, there are some unscrupulous journalists who have made the public skeptical about media reports. But these should not deter us from recognising the good and honest work many more are putting in, to ensure that we are informed, educated and even entertained, at the cost of their lives in some cases.

Ms Kenganzi is a Communications Manager at Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD).