Over 100 patients sent to Mbale after blood shortage hits Bududa

What the report says

More than 150 patients from Bududa District were referred to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital in the 2025/2026 financial year because local health facilities did not have enough blood, according to Bududa District health officials cited by The Independent Uganda. District Health Officer Dr. Kakala Alex Mushiso said Bududa asked the Mbale Regional Blood Bank for 6,000 units of blood during the year but received only 427, leaving a large shortfall for transfusion needs.

Mushiso said the blood that was available helped about 500 patients, including children, and he linked the shortage to the need to send many patients elsewhere for care. He made the remarks during the launch of 24-hour blood transfusion services at Bulucheke Health Centre IV in Bududa, a new service intended to reduce delays and bring treatment closer to residents.

The report said local and national health officials used the launch to urge more voluntary blood donation and to warn health workers against charging patients for blood, which donors give freely. Officials also said donated blood must not be sold and should be screened before transfusion. Community leaders said the new service could be especially important for mothers with childbirth complications, accident victims and other patients who need urgent blood.

The development highlights a broader challenge in rural health care: when blood stocks run low, patients may face travel delays and added risk in emergencies. The new transfusion point at Bulucheke is meant to ease some of that pressure if donations remain steady.