Uganda grapples with a critical shortage of blood that is affecting services and putting patients’ lives at risk. Due to an underfunded health sector, blood shortage in health centers is one of the major factors contributing to high death rates among women and young girls giving birth. Blood is a lifesaving commodity with no substitute especially for women and girls and the most vulnerable in our country:

• Hemorrhage was the leading cause of maternal deaths accounting for 48.5% - almost have of the deaths reported
• 1,118 women die every year in Uganda because of over bleeding while giving birth
• Uganda’s blood bank is half empty. We need 143,885 units of blood more per year, as per World Health Organisation’s recommendation

There is inadequate access to safe blood and essential drugs such as Oxytocin that would prevent women from losing blood during child birth. Girls who give birth early are especially vulnerable.

Uganda needs additional 212,115 units of safe blood to reach the WHO recommended figure of 410,000 annually.

Ensuring affordable, accessible, acceptable and good quality health care for all Ugandans is possible and will reduce the inequality gap. It will also ensure that key programmes like the Blood Bank are efficient in tackling the persistently high maternal mortality due to blood shortage. The Government should take practical steps to mobilize local resources that can support the health sector especially the Blood Bank through ensuring fair taxation.

Uganda loses a significant amount of revenue due to large companies often receiving long-term tax exemptions or large discounts. They also use tax treaties with other countries, such as the Netherlands, which allows companies to channel away their profits tax-free. If such revenue losses were addressed, and every Ugandan pays their fair share of tax, money needed to invest in key sectors such as health will be available.

By signing this petition, you are joining thousands of others asking the Government of Uganda to increase funding to the Health sector to fill the blood bank.

Sources: Uganda Annual Health Sector Performance Report (AHSPR) 2017/2018, World Health Organisation