Agency appeals to Kenyans for routine blood donation to replenish bank stock

By Wilberforce Netya

Kenya: The National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) has appealed to Kenyans to come out and donate blood.

NBTS National Director Margaret Oduor disclosed that only students donate much of the blood collected for the banks and called on leaders to motivate adults to emulate the youth.She said about 1,200 patients need blood annually and regretted that the culture of only relying on students for the supply is diminishing the stock especially when the students are on holiday.

“We encourage adults to develop a culture of blood donation. Traditionally, we have been relying on students and when they close for holidays, we do not get much,” she said.

Dr Oduor revealed that NBTS works with about 200,000 units of blood per year, adding that 70 per cent of the amount is processed into components and gives more units, which add up to about 300,000 units.

She further challenged the county governments to put more support on laboratory services in health facilities within their counties, as they are vital in testing the ailments before treatment.

Pointing out that NBTS seeks to expand the monthly collections, Oduor said each county ought to have a point for donation and storage of blood.

Oduor was speaking yesterday at Kapenguria District Hospital, West Pokot County during a routine inspection tour of health facilities and collection of feedback on blood transfusion services.

“Not everybody needs whole blood in transfusion and we will hence capacity-build a number of the health staff so that they can be able to split blood to serve more patients in need,” she said.