Lira– March 21, 2025
The Ministry of Health has officially launched the construction of the Lira Regional Blood Bank, a project aimed at improving blood collection, storage, and distribution in the Lango sub-region. The facility, estimated to cost UGX 9.6 billion, will require UGX 5.6 billion for construction and UGX 4 billion for necessary medical equipment.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Friday, March 21, 2025, was presided over by the Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero. She was joined by key officials including the Acting Director General of Health Services, Dr. Charles Olaro; the Director of Uganda Blood Transfusion Services, Dr. Dorothy Byabazeire; and the Commissioner of the Health Infrastructure Department, Eng. George Otim.
The new facility is being constructed on land donated by Lira University Teaching Hospital, which allocated 20 acres to Lira Regional Referral Hospital for the establishment of both a Regional Blood Bank and a Regional Cancer Center. Five acres of this land have been specifically reserved for a future Heart Center.
Dr. Aceng highlighted that while a blood unit was established at Lira Regional Referral Hospital in 2020, it has not fully met the region’s demand for blood. She emphasized that the new facility will significantly enhance the collection and safe storage of blood, ultimately saving more lives across the Lango sub-region and beyond.
Dr. Andrew Odur, Director of Lira Regional Referral Hospital, stated that the hospital consumes approximately 56% of the total blood allocated to the region due to complex surgical procedures and emergency cases. He stressed the importance of the new blood bank in addressing the high demand and called on the community to actively participate in blood donation initiatives.
Lira City Mayor, Sam Atul, expressed his support for the project, particularly in terms of improving road infrastructure to facilitate both construction and future operations. “Good roads are essential for the construction phase and the long-term effectiveness of the blood bank. The City Council will ensure road linkages are developed for the benefit of the entire Lango community,” Atul said.
The construction is being executed by the UPDF Engineers Brigade, with Maj. Kizito Mulwana serving as the General Project Manager. Maj. Mulwana assured stakeholders that the project is in safe hands under the stewardship of the Ministry of Defense. He also pledged to engage the local community by employing local labor and sourcing construction materials from the Lango sub-region, thereby boosting local economic development. “I guarantee that the Lira Blood Bank will be a model project in terms of efficiency, community engagement, and long-term impact,” he stated.
Dr. Prof. Jasper Ogwal Okeng, Vice Chancellor of Lira University, noted that the Blood Bank project aligns with the university’s vision of hosting healthcare facilities that enhance medical services. “This Blood Bank will be a major boost to healthcare in the region, as frequent blood shortages have often hampered service delivery,” Dr. Ogwal Okeng remarked.
The establishment of the Lira Regional Blood Bank is expected to significantly improve healthcare services in Northern Uganda, ensuring the availability of life-saving blood for patients in need.
ENDS
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