Jinja Regional Referral Hospital is in the final stages of preparations for the construction of the Busoga Regional Blood Bank, a transformative project funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). The facility is expected to significantly strengthen blood collection, storage, and distribution services across the Busoga sub-region.

On 26th February 2026, a joint team comprising officials from the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS), KOICA representatives, and hospital management led by the Hospital Director convened at the hospital for a site engagement meeting. The purpose of the visit was to review progress and officially present the allocated land designated for the construction of the state-of-the-art regional blood bank.

Allocation and Inspection of Construction Site

During the meeting, hospital management formally guided the delegation to the identified parcel of land within the hospital premises. The allocation marks a significant milestone in the realization of the project, signaling readiness to transition into full construction implementation.

The Hospital Director, Dr. Yayi Alfred, emphasized the hospital’s commitment to ensuring timely coordination and support to facilitate smooth project execution and handed over document containing the exact coordinates for the one acre land.

Assessment of Current Blood Services

To better appreciate the existing operational environment, the delegation conducted a guided tour of the hospital’s current blood collection point. The team observed the limitations in space, storage capacity, and workflow, highlighting the urgent need for a modern, purpose-built regional blood bank facility.

The visit also extended to the main laboratory, where blood screening and related diagnostic services are conducted. Discussions centered on quality assurance standards, cold chain requirements, and integration of services once the new facility becomes operational.

Focus on Maternal and Emergency Care

Recognizing the critical role of safe blood in saving lives, especially among mothers and newborns, the team visited the maternity unit. Hospital staff shared experiences on managing obstetric emergencies, postpartum hemorrhage cases, and other conditions requiring timely blood transfusion.

The new Busoga Regional Blood Bank is expected to significantly reduce delays in accessing safe blood, particularly for emergency obstetric care, trauma cases, pediatric anemia, and surgical interventions.

A Boost to Regional Health Systems

Once completed, the KOICA-supported facility will enhance blood mobilization drives, improve storage capacity, strengthen screening processes, and streamline distribution across health facilities in the Busoga region. The project aligns with national efforts to improve maternal and child health outcomes and emergency response capacity.

Stakeholders expressed optimism that the partnership between KOICA, Ministry of Health, Uganda Blood Transfusion Services, and Jinja Regional Referral Hospital will yield a sustainable and impactful investment in regional healthcare infrastructure.

As the meeting concluded, all parties reaffirmed their commitment to collaborative implementation, ensuring that the Busoga Regional Blood Bank becomes a center of excellence in safe blood services for Eastern Uganda.