Kenyans have been urged to embrace the culture of donating blood in order to save lives.
Lorine Achieng’ from the Nyanza regional blood bank said many Kenyans who need blood transfusions die every day for lack of blood but this could be averted if more Kenyans donate blood.
“Many patients suffering from various illnesses and those who are involved in accidents often require blood transfusions, but the blood banks more often than not do not have enough blood to save these lives,” she regretted.
She noted that many times hospitals are forced to appeal for blood from family members of the patient.
Achieng spoke during a blood donation exercise organised by Huduma Centre in Kisumu in partnership with the area Regional Blood Bank to mark the customer service week.
She voiced concern that blood donation drives always attract very few people, mostly the youth and appealed to all Kenyans to donate blood in a bid to save lives.
Achieng` attributed this low turnout in blood donation campaigns to lack of proper information and psych-social cultural reasons.
The ongoing campaign aims to create awareness and highlights the continued need for blood donations across Kenya as hospitals strive to maintain sufficient blood supplies for emergency and routine medical care.
Medical experts emphasise that blood donation not only benefits recipients but also improves blood circulation and stimulates new blood cell production in donors.
It is recommended that men donate blood every three months and women every four months for optimal health.
Achieng at the same time advised the public to regularly check their vital organs, noting that routine medical checks help detect conditions such as high blood pressure early.
Data from the Ministry of Health (MOH) reveals that the country has a shortage of 200,000 units of blood annually, resulting in seven out of 10 transfusions relying on blood from families and friends.
“Every delay in transfusing blood risks lives and every shortage spreads fear,” Achieng` warns.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that every year a country should collect at least 10-20 units of blood for every 1,000 people.
However, in Kenya, only 4 units of blood for every 1,000 persons are collected each year leading to this shortage.
Based on World Health Organization guidelines for the proportion of donors relative to total population, Kenya should be collecting as much as one million units of blood a year, but this is not the case due to various challenges such as inadequate funding to the Blood Unit, which affects their ability to mount campaigns.
By Mabel Keya – Shikuku and Purity Gombe
