By Our Reporter
SOROTI CITY
Uganda Red Cross Society has carried out an orientation for Kumam chiefs presided over by His Royal Highness Won Ateker Papa Me Kumam – Otaya Raphael.
The orientation that took place today, Thursday, 2nd October had over 60 chiefs in attendance.
The session focused on community blood donor mobilization, aiming to strengthen partnerships between the Kumam Cultural Institution and the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) to boost blood donation efforts and support the Soroti Regional Blood Bank.
This initiative is part of URCS’s broader strategy to bring blood donation closer to communities through collaboration with cultural and local leadership.
Maj Rtd Jessica Alupo Rose Epel (MP), Vice President of the Republic of Uganda, commissioned the Soroti Regional Blood Bank in Soroti city on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
The facility will address the region’s challenge that the region has struggled to access timely, safe, and adequate blood hence causing delays in transfusions, stressed health workers and ultimately leading to loss of lives.
The newly commissioned regional blood bank collects to tune of 2000 mls of blood per month and 4000 mls of blood yearly serving catchment area of Soroti, Kapelebyong, Katakwi, Amuria, Kumi, Serere, Kalaki, Kaberemaido, Ngora and Moroto.
Dr. Dorothy Kyeyune-Byabazaire, Director of Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS), stated that the blood bank was established in 2005 as a blood collection and distribution center with support from the Soroti Regional Hospital, Uganda Red Cross Society, Lions’ Clubs, and the Soroti Rotary Club, and that it was collecting 900 mls of blood that was transported to Mbale for processing.
Dr. Watmon Benedict, Director of Soroti Regional Hospital, hailed the facility, which will help to strengthen health care services.
