The number of blood donors in Arua is declining at an alarming rate because people do not want their HIV status known. The donor counsellor Arua regional blood bank, Mr Geoffrey Odama told Daily Monitor on Monday that the number of blood donors had dwindled. He said the blood bank is not meeting the required units to serve the region.

"People do not have the enthusiasm to donate blood like before. Others complain that they don't want their status to be known. We do test blood to establish diseases but at a blood donor's will," Mr Odama said.

He said screening includes testing for diseases that can be transmitted by blood transfusion, including HIV and viral hepatitis. Mr Odama said the poor attitude has led to shortage of blood in hospitals and health centres.

In July, 630 blood units were collected, 463 units were collected in August and 430 units in September. These figure Mr Odama said shows a decline which the agency will try to avert. In the past years, they have been collecting at least 1,000 units of blood.

During the recent concluded exercise about 200 units of blood have been collected to serve the region. But the region with seven districts needs 760 units of blood for patients and in most cases health centres experience blood shortage across the region.

A survey by Daily Monitor reveals that people complain of donating blood free but are then forced to buy blood at the hospital when they fall sick. But authorities at hospitals have repeatedly denied the allegations. Mr Odama urged blood donors to report such cases to blood bank for investigations.