Kapoeta main hospital does not have a functioning blood bank, a medical officer has said.
The civil hospital which caters for thousands of people across greater Kapoeta and the neighboring areas has been renting fridges from local traders to store essential blood.
A blood bank is a facility that ensures donated blood or blood products, are kept safe before they are used in blood transfusions and other medical procedures.
Rovason Lonyia, the administrator for Kapoeta civil hospital said they depend on coolers which are not medically recommended.
“In case there is donation of blood there is nothing to store them in. There is only fridge in which even 50 bags of blood can not fit in this fridges because they are small, they are just commercial fridges is not the medical fridge for the blood,” he disclosed.
Storing blood in the hospital is essential in meeting normal operating demands, especially for women in labor, children with anaemia, and patients undergoing surgeries.
Lonyia also mentioned that the hospital lacks facilities for safe storage of medical equipment.
He appeal to the community and well-wishers to contribute towards the purchase of equipment for preserving donated blood.
“If the humanitarians or the government cannot help to establish a blood bank in the hospital, why not the community members?” he asked.
“If the community can turn up and help the hospital – especially the intellectual class…their parents are coming in to this hospital but no one is focusing on this hospital.”
Blood banking includes typing the blood for transfusion and testing for infectious diseases.
Blood is essential to help patients survive surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. This lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation.
The need for blood is constant.