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Tororo, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Tororo General Hospital is struggling with unstable blood supply.
According to the hospital administrators, the shortage is leading to an increase in infant deaths and also affects the lower health facilities.
Records indicate that Tororo General hospital from the start of the financial year has been receiving between 70 and 120 units of blood monthly from Mbale Regional Blood Bank.
According to the senior hospital administrator, Walter Uryek Wun, the hospital requires 300 units per month but they receive 30 units.
The hospital superintendent Dr. Thomas Ochar told Members of Parliament on the Public Accounts Committee-PAC that they have always referred the patients to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital for blood transfusion because the units supplied to the hospital are inadequate due to the overwhelming numbers of patients.
Dr. Ahmed Bumba, the Mbale blood bank manager acknowledged the challenge of blood shortage in the facility, saying that the blood bank is doing what is possible to have the challenge solved.
He attributed the challenge to increasing cases of malaria in the region which has increased the consumption of blood in all health facilities including the referral hospital.
Dr. Bumba said that the blood bank is currently facing challenges in collecting blood because of the increased costs of fuel.
Silus Aogon, the MP for Kumi Municipality blamed the hospital administration for being silent on the matter yet the situation is urgent and requires immediate attention.
Issac Mudoi, the Luteshe County Member of Parliament asked the government to start extensive planning for the health sector to avoid unnecessary deaths in health facilities.
Sarah Opendi, the Tororo Woman Member of Parliament also said that the hospital lacks enough specialists to handle a number of complications leading to several referrals.
She asked the government to prioritize equipping Tororo General Hospital because of the high number of patients the facility receives.
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