Ecobank Uganda Donates Shs1.3 Billion Equipment to Strengthen Blood Transfusion Services

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Ecobank Uganda, in partnership with Malaria Free Uganda (MFU) and the Ministry of Health, has made a substantial contribution to the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS) by donating blood bank equipment valued at UGX 1.3 billion.

The equipment aims to enhance UBTS’s capacity to address severe malaria-related anemia and other critical medical needs.

The donation, officially handed over at the Nakasero Blood Bank in Kampala, includes three platelet agitators and four floor preparative centrifuges. These state-of-the-art tools are expected to improve blood storage, processing, and distribution, ensuring a more reliable supply for Uganda’s healthcare system.

Severe malaria-related anemia, which accounts for up to 50% of Uganda’s total blood demand, poses a significant challenge in a country that records over 12 million malaria cases annually. This donation is seen as a crucial step in addressing the country’s urgent healthcare needs.

Speaking at the event, Ecobank Uganda Managing Director, Muliisa Grace, highlighted the bank’s commitment to supporting healthcare initiatives:

“This donation reflects our unwavering commitment to Uganda’s health sector. By equipping UBTS with these vital resources, we are contributing to life-saving efforts that will make a tangible difference in the fight against malaria and related illnesses. Partnerships like this exemplify the transformative role the private sector can play in strengthening healthcare systems and building resilient communities.”

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Kenneth Mugisha, the Board Chairman of Malaria Free Uganda, described the donation as a milestone in the fight against malaria:

“This equipment is a game-changer in managing severe malaria. By ensuring a reliable blood supply, we move closer to ZERO MALARIA DEATHS and averting preventable losses. We thank Ecobank and all stakeholders for their unwavering commitment to this cause.”

The event also received support from the Ministry of Health, led by Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, whose efforts focus on building a malaria-free Uganda and improving healthcare infrastructure. The donation aligns with the goals of the MFU Malaria Elimination Fund to achieve zero malaria deaths.