This is not a ritual sacrifice but an act to save life.
,William Magezi is one of the members in this community using guinea pigs what the locals here know as “Kapanya” for traditional medicine.
Blood is drawn out of guinea pigs and fed to patients in need of blood transfusion.
Like the English adage goes necessity is the mother of innovation Magezi says this is an inherited practice.
This practice has hit the peak again due to a shortage of blood in their district especially if a patient has been given a referral...
Blood shortage is the underlying factor for this practice.
Bundibugyo district gets its blood from Fort Portal regional blood bank.
At the regional blood bank, we were told off the cuff that there isn’t enough blood for the 10 districts in the Rwenzori sub-region it serves.
This is why frustrated parents with anemic children, now opt for this mythical healing...
In the neighborhood, Steven Mugisha is raring the rodents due to the increased demand...
Magezi who administers this local treatment alleges that blood from the guinea pigs is group O. That is why it is used.
However, there is no proof to this allegation according to Dr. Amon Bwambale the acting medical superintendent of Bundibugyo general hospital.
Bundibugyo is one of the districts in country with the highest prevalence of sickle cell disease which is why it requires much more blood for transfusion......
Dr. Bwambale told NTV that the hospital is supposed to carry out up to 500 transfusions a year but is now limited by the shortage of blood.
People taking blood also stand a great risk of contracting zoonotic illnesses.....
The district health officer says they have embarked on a campaign to educate the locals on the dangers of this practice....
Early this month, the national blood bank in Nakasero announced how it is short of blood due to lack of funds to enable to collect it.