The Honorary Counsel of Nepal in Uganda, Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, the Nepali Association in Uganda, and the Blood Bank of Uganda are inviting Nepalis and Ugandans to turn up in big numbers at Kampala Parents School in Naguru, a Kampala suburb, on April 28, 2024, to donate blood.
Blood remains a critical but scarce healthcare input that hospitals and Blood Bank struggle to maintain in required and sufficient amounts that public and private stakeholders regularly hold blood donation drives to attract blood donors.
According to Uganda Blood Transfusion Service (UBTS), health facilities across the country require about 1,500 units of blood daily to treat cancer patients, anaemic children, pregnant mothers & other surgeries.
Timely donation
The scheduled Red Cross-backed blood donation drive at Kampala Parents Schools is therefore timely and will significantly save the lives of those who will benefit from this generosity by the Nepalis living in Uganda and Ugandans.
"Blood donation is truly an altruistic gift that an individual can give to others in need. In 15 minutes, an eligible individual can donate 1 unit of blood that can be separated into 4 individual components that could help save multiple lives," UBTS said in a promo message recently.
Through his Ruparelia Group, Dr Sudhir Ruparelia, has been a keen promoter of blood donation in the country. In 2020, Dr Sudhir Ruparelia was appointed the first honorary Consul of the Republic of Nepal, a country in Asia.
The role of a Consul is to represent the interests of a foreign country in their home economy. Dr Ruparelia’s appointment has strengthened trade ties and established new opportunities for residents of the two countries.
Improving lives
Upon his appointment as Honorary Counsel, Dr Sudhir Ruparelia is quoted saying: "Dr Ruparelia said: “I feel truly blessed and now with this remarkable opportunity I wish to add even greater value to my home nation Uganda but also to the citizens of Nepal.
Together we can help further improve the lives and livelihoods of people in both countries, giving them the chance to prosper in their chosen fields of work and home life.”
