The Ministry of Health has refuted claims that the country has a blood shortage crisis just a day after Kenyatta National Hospital admitted to not having enough blood for its patients.
Even so, the ministry acknowledged that donor funding cuts are to blame for challenges hospitals are facing.
Kenya National Blood Transfusion (KNBTS) has been depending 80 per cent on donor funding, particularly Presidential Emergency Fund for Aids Relief (Pepfar) from the United States that came to a halt in September 30, 2019.
The ministry says these cuts did negatively affect KNBTS operation, even though the government has been aware of the funding cut for over five years.
“We would like to assure the public that the country is not under a crisis as it has been reported in a section of the media. KNBTS is working with stakeholders to address blood shortage and ensure sustainable supply of safe and adequate blood for transfusion,” says the ministry.
Just a day ago, KNH management admitted to discharging some patients due to shortage of blood. Two of the patients are battling cancer and needed blood transfusion.
“To avoid long and unnecessary stay in the wards, the hospital refers stable patients to a facility near one of the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Services (KNBTS) satelites for blood top up on an outpatient basis,” said Nicholas Gumbo, KNH board chair.
Gumbo said the hospital needs up to 200 units of blood in any day, but has the capacity to mobilise just 40 units.
Kenya’s blood requirement stands at 1,000,000 units every year, yet the KNBTS only managed 164,000 units in 2019.
“The persistent low collections have been as a result of various challenges mainly poor donation culture among Kenyans, apathy, negative myths and beliefs and low community awareness on matters of blood,” the ministry argues.
The statement from the ministry reveals that the Government spends Sh14,000 to process a unit of blood which is distributed free of charge to all transfusing facilities (Public, Faith-based, Private).
“In order to avail the needed 1,000,000 units of safe blood to Kenyans the Government shall be seeking to spend Sh14 Billion annually,” adds the statement.
Currently, Kenya has 31 blood centers spread across the counties and plans are underway to increase the centers to 50.
There are also six regional Blood Transfusion Centers (RBTCs) in Nairobi, Embu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kisumu and Mombasa.
Additionally, there are 25 satellite centers located in Machakos, Kisii, Voi, Meru, Naivasha, Kakamega, Kericho, Nyeri, Garissa, Malindi, Thika, Lodwar, Narok, Migori, Nandi, Kitui, Bungoma, Kapenguria, Bomet, Homabay, Nandi and Kitale.
The satellites in Kisii, Machakos, Garissa and Lodwar, says the ministry, are earmarked for upgrade to regional blood transfusion centers.
The Ministry, has carried out a detailed audit of the KNBTS and identified system gaps and would like to assure Kenyans that corrective measures are being undertaken to streamline delivery of this vital service,” says the ministry.