By Patrick Opio
Senior Communications Officer
The Ministry of Health has launched the construction of Blood bank magnificent storey building estimated to cost sh5.6 Billion, with its equipment to take shs4 Billion at Lira University, on 21st March 2025.
Health Ministry, Dr Ruth Aceng Ocero praised Lira University Management headed by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jasper Ogwal Okeng for donating the 20 acres of land for the project.
“I am happy with Lira University for its focus on health training programmes, the government is ready to support this institution to grow to the highest level,” Dr. Aceng explains.
She noted that the Blood Bank will support efforts of health workers in the sub region in saving lives. “The facility will also be used for training health students at the University. Blood collection will be increased and timely donation achieved,” she adds.
Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) Engineering Brigade has been contracted to do the construction targeted to take 3 years.
Hon. Aceng Ocero noted the Ministry is committed to enhance access to health facilities by improving the health services. “Please access health facilities for better services including testing Non Communicable Diseases in our communities,” she explains.
The Minister further urge people to jointly fight malaria scourge in the area by visiting health facilities for vaccination of children effective April 2025. (Uganda should be free of malaria, like other parts of the world…..Lango must be healthy for them to work hard for household development,” she says.
She advised health workers to be more careful and avoid direct contacts while handling patients. “Use protective gears, do not touch patients with bare hands, it is risky. Increase the index of suspicion while on duty. We need health workers to save lives,” she cautions.
Prof. Ogwal Okeng lauded the President and his Government for always supporting the university in its endeavours to grow. “We are happy and welcome government projects in the University,” he said. He noted that President had pledged to tarmac the 24 km of internal roads of the university.
Prof. Ogwal Okeng praised students for observing discipline, a practice that will foster development at the university.
The Lira City Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Mr Egole advised people in the sub region to support the NRM Government has it has a lot in the kitchen in terms of development. “Avoid misleading information from unscrupulous leaders. They mudslinging government and its leaders for political and selfish interest, at the expense of development in the region,” he says.
