Ecobank has donated vital blood bank equipment worth UGX 1.3 billion to the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS), in partnership with Malaria Free Uganda and the Ministry of Health.
The equipment, which includes refrigerators, platelet agitators, and centrifuges, is expected to enhance UBTS’s capacity to collect, process, and store blood.
“We believe that this equipment will play a critical role in saving lives and strengthening Uganda’s healthcare system,” said Grace Muliisa, Ecobank’s Managing Director. “This initiative aligns with Ecobank’s mission to champion impactful, sustainable healthcare initiatives.”
Kenneth Mugisha, Board Chairman of Malaria Free Uganda, highlighted the importance of the donation in the fight against malaria.
“Malaria is a major public health concern in Uganda, and this equipment will help ensure that sufficient blood is available to manage severe malaria and avert preventable deaths,” he said. “This equipment marks a significant step toward ensuring the availability of sufficient blood to manage severe malaria and avert preventable deaths.”
The Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, praised the collaboration, calling for further resources and commitments to scale up efforts to eliminate malaria in Uganda.
“Partners and stakeholders must continue to support the MFU Malaria Elimination Fund to sustain interventions that reduce the burden of malaria and strengthen public health systems,” she said. “We urge all partners to continue supporting the malaria elimination efforts, as we work towards achieving a malaria-free Uganda.”
Malaria is a major public health concern in Uganda, with over 12 million cases reported annually. The disease accounts for 30-50% of the country’s blood use, highlighting the need for sufficient blood supplies to manage severe malaria cases.
