Uganda blood transfusion service under the ministry of health has revealed that Uganda is set to host the 11th African society for blood transfusion (AfSBT) congress from 4th -7th march 2024 at speak resort munyonyo.
This event is to bring together esteemed experts and stake holders in the field of blood transfusion medicine from across the continent and aimed at addressing issues concerning blood safety, blood adequacy and sustainable issues in Africa and the world at large.
According to the Director Uganda blood transfusion services Dorothy kyeyune, this congress is a significant milestone for Uganda as it is the first time to host such distinguished gathering focussing on transfusion medicine.
During a press conference at the Uganda a media centre, Dorothy told journalists that this congress is set to host hundreds of the world’s renowned experts in blood transfusion, policy makers and key stakeholders who play a crucial role in the transfusion medicine and science.
She therefore welcomed scientists from across the world to join the Congress to help them in deliberating the best practices and lessons in ensuring the availability of safe blood in our population. Among the key groups that should be part of the congress, she sites health providers who use the blood and blood products for them to know the time it takes to process the blood they use and what needs to be done to improve on blood services in their health facilities.
UBTS has been playing a supervisory role and trainings for the appropriate use of blood such as in mother’s with pregnancy complications and child birth, children with severe Anaemia due to Malaria, accident victims, sickle cell patients, and cancer patients. “With commitment to increasing blood supply, and promoting clinical use of safe blood, UBTS has made many contributions towards Uganda’s 2040 vision and the sustainable development goals number 4,5 and 6 specifically on reducing child mortality.” Dorothy added
The Director Clinical services ministry of health Charles Olaro noted that the demand for blood in the country remains high due to the prevalence of Anaemia and malaria and added that to avoid shifting the demand, the country needs to prevent and that’s why government has engaged in mosquito net distribution and other interventions to address the reduction.
He added that pregnant related complications also lead to a high demand for blood as 60% of the need is among children and 25% is in pregnancy related causes and urged mothers to attend antenatal care and deliver in health facilities to avoid challenges during delivery.
The 11th Africa Society for blood transfusion Congress is under the theme: safe and sustainable blood transfusion services in Africa, adopting global innovations and technology, advancements in blood transfusion services.
