Nova Finia Rallies West Nile Community in Major Festive-Season Blood Drive
As the festive season and election campaigns intensify across the West Nile region, health facilities are preparing for a sharp rise in emergencies that require blood transfusions. In response, Nova Finia Medical Center has partnered with the Uganda Red Cross Society and the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS) to launch one of the region’s most community-driven blood donation campaigns to date. Speaking during the drive, Dr. Jamal Abdul-Hassan, Head of Nova Finia Medical Center Awindiri, stressed the urgency of boosting the regional blood supply during this high-risk period.
“This is a festive and campaign season. We expect more emergencies, accidents, and health complications that lead to massive blood loss,” he said. “Emergency cases rise during this time. Patients need blood — the demand is coming.”
Dr. Jamal noted that Arua has long struggled with low blood donation rates, a challenge the medical center hopes to reverse through consistent community outreach.
“Arua is one of the hardest places when it comes to giving blood,” he added. “We encourage our people to embrace blood donation. Your body makes new blood every three months. Giving just one unit can save a life.”
He revealed that Nova Finia plans to make blood donation drives a regular community service.
At the same event, Senyondo Godfrey Kakumba, Principal Medical Officer for UBTS at the Arua Regional Referral Hospital Blood Bank, commended Nova Finia for taking the lead in mobilizing the community.
“This activity has been organized by Nova Finia, one of our beneficiaries,” he said. “They have mobilized the community, provided incentives, and created awareness. This level of commitment from a private facility is rare and highly commendable.”
He highlighted that UBTS works with 32 registered transfusion facilities across West Nile, but emphasized that partnerships with local actors remain essential.
“It is the community giving back. Private partnerships like this strengthen the health system,” he noted.
Owinji Robert Onyol, West Nile’s focal person for blood donor recruitment at the Uganda Red Cross Society, said the drive marks the first major community-led initiative spearheaded by a local healthcare facility.
“This is the first time we are having a local partner come on board in such a big way,” he said. “Previously, it was mostly NGOs. Nova Finia has shown that community facilities can lead too.”
He warned that holiday travel, political activities, and the absence of students — traditionally the largest donor base — all strain the blood supply. Red Cross teams are targeting 1,000 units in Yumbe and 500 units across Nebbi, Pakwach, and Zombo between 8th and 12th December 2025.
“It is the community giving back. Private partnerships like this strengthen the health system,” he noted.
The drive also attracted local residents, including regular donors who encouraged others to join. Eva Rania Rehema expressed her motivation for participating:
“It’s good to help each other. The blood we donate goes directly to hospitals to save lives.”
Nova Finia staff member Aniku Jonathan Ivan was among the first to donate.
“Blood is precious. Our mothers and patients in hospitals need it,” he said. “This is a holiday period — many things happen in the community. I call on everyone to come and donate to save lives.”
