Blood shortage crisis: Patients in urgent need as supplies drop

Esther Wangare required a blood transfusion after she was involved in an accident along Sagana-Nyeri road while John Wafula bled profusely when police attacked him and other Gen Zs and Millennials demonstrators protesting the controversial Finance Bill 2024.

Wafula remains bedridden at a hospital in Eastlands, requiring a blood transfusion as part of his treatment for a full recovery. 

Many people across the country need blood transfusions but struggle to obtain this vital resource due to a shortage in blood banks. It is crucial to volunteer and donate blood to save the lives of those in need.

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Kenya requires 1,000,000 units of blood in its blood banks at all times; however, current supplies are significantly lower. The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that blood transfusion saves countless lives worldwide.

In Kenya, many patients in need of blood cannot access it due to insufficient supplies. Availability of blood is crucial for saving those with life-threatening conditions, highlighting the urgent need for blood donations to save lives.

A visit by Princeton Media and Research Institute to several public hospitals in Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay and Nairobi revealed that pregnant women, victims of road accidents, violent robberies, assaults, domestic violence and those suffering from medical conditions such as diabetes, anaemia and childbirth-related bleeding, all need blood transfusion. Additionally, patients with blood and bone marrow disorders, traumatic injuries, and those undergoing surgeries also need this critical resource. 

An employee of the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service (KNBTS) notes that many people are reluctant to donate blood for various reasons, including a weak donation culture among Kenyans, apathy, negative myths and beliefs, low community/public awareness, and, most importantly, fear that their blood may not be safe due to concerns about diseases like hepatitis B, HIV/Aids and cervical cancer.

“Not many people think about donating blood until they or their relatives become ill and need a blood transfusion,” says Dr Nicholas Ochieng of Kenyatta National Hospital.

This immense blood requirement of one million units can only be met with a strong base of voluntary donors, adds Dr Ochieng, a lecturer at Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) in Nairobi. Every year on World Blood Donor Day, celebrated on June 14, Harley’s Limited, a pharmaceutical distributing company, mobilises its employees to donate blood as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

“This is a key part of our corporate social responsibility, and we do it every year,” says Harley’s Managing Director Dr Rupen Haria.

Kenya facing acute blood shortage

According to information from the Ministry of Health, the government previously collected 450 blood units daily before the emergence of Covid-19, which reduced daily collections to between 120 to 140 units. The demand for blood transfusion has risen in recent decades due to a growing population, increased road accidents and the emergence of various diseases.

The acute shortage of blood is a serious issue that necessitates more volunteers to donate. Dr Rupen called on other corporate entities to follow Harley’s example and help save the lives of citizens in need of blood transfusion.

“The blood must come from healthy Kenyans, who need to recognize the importance of saving lives through donations,” observes Harley’s Managing Director. Since blood cannot be manufactured in factories, every healthy citizen must donate.

Other institutions should take a cue from Harley’s management. People should not wait until their relatives require an emergency blood transfusion to donate.

In an interview, Dr Ochieng encourages people to donate blood, stating that doing so provides hope to someone in the hospital fighting for their life. Additionally, donating blood can enhance the health of the donor.

Experts reveal that individuals can donate blood every three months without any negative impact on their health. Studies have shown that donating blood helps eliminate the risk of heart disease.

According to research published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, regular blood donations offer several health benefits, including lowering the risk of heart conditions.

Donating blood is also an opportunity to learn your blood type, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. Donating at least once a year can improve blood flow and reduce arterial blockage. Studies dating back to the late 1990s have found that blood donors can reduce their risk of experiencing heart attacks by up to 80 per cent.

Additionally, blood donation can reveal issues within the body’s systems, prevent hemochromatosis, maintain cardiovascular health, reduce the risk of developing cancer, stimulate blood cell production, support liver health, aid in weight loss, improve mental well-being, and promote healthy, smooth skin, as shown in various studies.

Once you donate blood, your body replaces the lost fluids within a few days and replenishes the lost blood cells within two weeks. Some blood donors may experience light-headedness, fatigue, or nausea due to the loss of iron and water, which can affect the amount of required oxygen in the body.

Blood donors should drink plenty of water immediately after donation to restore the lost volume. Donors should also avoid lifting heavy objects with the donation arm and refrain from participating in strenuous physical activities or sports afterwards to prevent bruising at the venepuncture site and minimise dizziness.

Blood donors are encouraged to eat nutritious snacks and foods rich in vitamin C such as spinach, cashews, almonds, raisins, green peas, wholemeal, bread, apricots, tomatoes, oranges, eggs, and meat, within 24 hours to help replace the lost blood. Medical experts indicate that it takes four to six weeks for red blood cells to be fully replenished.

In Kenya, blood banks are running low on supplies as donors are increasingly reluctant to donate.  This reluctance stems from concerns about HIV/Aids, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), Hepatitis A and B and more recently Covid-19.

It is challenging to know the quantity of blood needed for Kenya’s 53 million people compared to what is currently available.

The number of blood units required by each individual varies based on body size; larger individuals typically require more units. An adult will need approximately 1.2 to 1.5 gallons or 10 units of blood in the body. One unit is equivalent to 200ml of blood.

“Although blood transfusions are meant to be free in public hospitals, our investigations reveal that private hospitals charge between Sh5,000 and Sh10,000 per unit of blood. The average cost of collecting, testing, and storing blood in Kenya is estimated at around Sh10,000. Each donor is required to give 470ml, which is about eight per cent of an adult’s total blood volume.”