Doctors need to always consult the Centres for Blood Transfusion or blood experts before they administer blood transfusion to patients in critical condition.

There are several reports in Uganda and across Africa that loss of lives is so rampant arising from poor prescription of the relevant blood type for parents during emergencies by ill trained doctors and nurses.

Many doctors in hospitals like Mulago hospital Kampala do not consult blood experts before they administer blood to patients.

For example if someone is O- and is in critical condition, the doctors can recommend that person to be given O+ blood. But you find doctors in Africa who are not aware of such treatment. Many people have died in Uganda and across Africa because the doctors prescribe wrong blood groups to them. If the doctors consult blood experts, may be those people would still be alive.

African countries need to retrain doctors in blood transfusion. This year’s theme for the World Blood Donor Day is “Safe blood for saving mothers.”

The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that about 800 women die every day from pregnancy or child birth-related complications in developing countries.

Severe bleeding during delivery and after child birth is cited as a major cause of mortality, morbidity and long term disability.

Most blood collected in Africa goes to the obstetrics and gynecology departments.

Report by Walakira Nyanzi, health expert based at Ultimate Media consult, Kampala Uganda.