Kenya facing acute blood shortage

By Nicholas Anyuor

It was late in the night when George Okoth’s daughter, Irene Atieno, six, fell sick in his Mbita town home.

"I talked to my neighbour who rushed her in his car to Homa Bay District Hospital where she was attended to urgently," recalls George.

However, the following morning, George was told that Atieno needed blood transfusion but there was no blood available in the hospital. He was advised to donate or look for someone who could donate blood.

"I looked for friends to help, but they all refused even after I offered to pay them," he says.

Life and death situation

It took George two days to find someone willing to donate blood, a tout at the bus stop who demanded Sh4, 000.

"I had no alternative but to pay him because it was a life and death situation. I wanted to save my daughter," he says.

Homa Bay District Hospital is not the only health facility in Kenya faced with acute blood shortage.

A report by the Ministry of Medical Services indicates that children and pregnant mothers are recipients of more than 60 per cent of blood in the country. Every ten minutes, there is someone receiving blood either in surgery or to replace lost blood.

However, blood shortage in the hospitals across the country is worsening, a situation the ministry has blamed on the public that fears donating blood.

While launching World Blood Donor Day this week, Medical Services Minister Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o cited the fear of unknown, information about HIV/Aids status and a culture of refusing to donate blood in order to donate to a family member later, as factors leading to low blood donation.

"All these reasons and excuses stem mainly from ignorance and misinformation about blood donation. I encourage as many donors as possible to visit our centres to donate blood," he said.

World Health Organisation representative to Kenya Abdoulie Jack says there is still much to be done to ensure equitable distribution of blood.

"We need to address the urban and rural imbalance in terms of access to blood and blood products as well as the required technical expertise, all which tend to be more easily available in urban centres," Dr Abdoulie says. He says there is need for urgent and appropriate action to ensure there is a reduction of the large number of people who die from acute blood loss or from severe anaemia.

"We need to redouble our efforts to provide a better response to the needs of our population," he remarked.

It is estimated that Kenya needs in excess of 200,000 units of blood annually to adequately meet its requirements.

In 2010, the country managed to collect 135, 000 units of blood, leaving a major shortfall of about 65, 000 units.

"This, therefore, underscores the need to always have blood available in our blood banks. Blood transfusion cannot be postponed, it has to be given when needed," adds Dr Abdoulie.

Of the blood donated in Kenya, over 60 per cent of it is collected from school children, which the ministry says is putting unnecessary burden on the children to support blood needs in the country.