In a bid to respond to the national need of safe blood, Goldstar Insurance has partnered with Nakasero Blood Bank to rally Ugandans donate blood.
The blood donation drive is slated for 29th March 2019 at City Square starting from morning up to evening hours at raising Uganda’s blood units.
Dr. Dorothy Kyeyune, the Director, Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS) said in an interview held at UBTS offices in Nakasero that Uganda needs 350,000 units of blood annually, but can only raise between 270,000- 300,000 units, leaving an annual lethal deficit of between 50,000- 100,000 units that needs to be bridged.
“Uganda’s blood collection stands at 7 whole blood units per 1,000 inhabitants which is below the WHO recommended rates of 10 whole blood units per 1,000 inhabitants or 1%. This translates into a 30% deficit,” Dr Kyeyune said, adding that blood is critical in the care and treatment of coronary heart diseases, HIV/AIDS, prenatal conditions, malaria, road traffic accidents, cancer and sickle cell- which are some of the leading causes of death in sub-Saharan Africa- including Uganda.
Jay Sakaria (in featured photo), the Business Development Manager at Goldstar Insurance Company appealed to Ugandans to come and donate blood at city square, adding that Goldstar insurance joined the drive in an effort to bridge the blood deficit and as part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility.
Jay said that with over 22 years of experience, Goldstar Insurance company has developed insurance products for small and medium enterprises.
“As business grows, inevitably the protection they require will increase, therefore entrepreneur Finance Managers should ensure that insurance they have is appropriate to the company and treat it like any other asset by reviewing it regularly,” he said.
