Hospitals face acute blood shortage

By MANGOA MOSOTA

Western Kenya region is facing an acute shortage of blood even as it emerged that secondary school students donate 80 per cent of the total supply.

The Kenya National Blood Transfusion Services, Western Region Donor Centre in Kisumu collects about 3,000 units of blood monthly, against a demand of 4,000 units.

The capacity of the centre and two satellite points is 5,000 units.

Yesterday, Regional Director Charles Muturi said they collect 3,500 units when schools are in session, but it has been problematic during holidays.

Secondary school students donate blood at their institutions. “During the holidays, the quantity reduces to about 1,500 units per month, as we have few walk-ins,” said Dr Muturi.

For example, last month, volunteer donors were 32, while those who come to donate for patients were 57. Those who were unable to donate due to a number of illnesses were 35.

Persons suffering from hepatitis B and C, syphilis and HIV/Aids cannot donate blood. The national annual demand for blood is 350,000 to 400,000 units, while that of the Kisumu regional office is about 50,000.

The World Health Organisation says the country needs to collect and screen slightly over 400,000 units of blood annually. The other five regional blood donor centres are in Nairobi, Embu, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu, and Eldoret. The Kisumu regional office has satellite offices in Kakamega and Kisii.

Muturi said the major challenge the organisation is facing is having residents of Nyanza and Western Province donate blood on their own volition.

“What we currently have is blood when there is a crisis. This does not build on the amount of blood in the bank,” he said, adding that they serve more than 60 hospitals in the region that have a demand of about 4,000 units, monthly.

Muturi said during holidays they target community organisations such as churches and groups such as staff of non-governmental organisations.