Absa Bank Uganda is one of the entities that has been honored for its contributions as one of the platinum partners in the development and sustainability of the Mengo Hospital Rotary Blood Bank.

Mr. Shekar Mehta, President of Rotary International, presented the award to Mr. David Wandera, a Rotarian and Absa Bank Uganda’s Head of Markets, at a ceremony held at Mengo Hospital.

While speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Mehta said, “I congratulate all the people and organizations that have contributed to the Mengo Hospital Rotary Blood Bank to not only serve but change the lives of people in this country. Thank you for your leadership and steering this project to his level.”

The Rotary Blood Bank at Mengo Hospital was officially inaugurated in 2017 and is a brainchild of Rotary and several private sector partners. It intends to raise a total of USD 1,103,000 (over Shs. 4 billion) to equip Mengo Hospital with a modern, fully-fledged Blood Bank to complement the National Blood Bank in Nakasero with ultramodern equipment and specialized staff.

This is in response to the country’s blood shortage, with the Uganda Blood Transfusion Service (UBTS) struggling to meet current demand, collecting 56,850 units out of a target of 75,000 between April and July 2020.

Absa Bank Uganda has provided support to the project since its commencement. Speaking on the sidelines of the ceremony, Absa Bank Uganda’s David Wandera said, “We are proud to have responded to the call to be a part of this project since its inception. It is a testament to our fulfilling the commitment made to play a shaping role in Uganda’s growth by being an enabler and an active force for good in the communities within which we operate.”

Mr. Mehta and his wife Rashi are in Uganda for three days as part of a seven-nation African tour. While in Uganda, he met President Yoweri Museveni and Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Jacob Oulanyah, offering to open an eye hospital and provide free heart surgery to 100 Ugandan children in India.