80,000 units of blood deficit worries experts

By James Ratemo

Kenya has a shortfall of 80,000 units of blood.

Consequently, the lives of patients who require transfusion may be threatened.

Of the 200,000 units of blood required in hospitals anually, blood donors only give 120,000. The deficit has prompted a national campaign, targeting university students.

Yesterday, Telkom Kenya and Blood Link Foundation launched the campaign in Nairobi to encourage students in private and public universities to donate blood.

The Donate Damu Kiasi initiative targets 18 private and public universities. It features local musician Jua Cali, who is the Youth Brand Ambassador for telephone company Telkom Kenya.

Medical Services PS James ole Kiyiapi said the campaign would be extended to primary schools.

"The biggest barriers to blood donation include lack of awareness of the urgent need for blood and the process, which many do not know is actually safe and easy," said Prof Kiyiapi.

A pint makes a difference

He added: "The launch marks a key milestone in our mission to improve the health of Kenyans."

Telkom Kenya CEO Dominique Saint-Jean said blood shortage is a critical issue and urged more youths to donate blood.

National Co-ordinator Roth Bosire said Kenya has six main blood banks in Nakuru, Mombasa, Nairobi, Embu, Eldoret and Kisumu.

Other seven satellite blood banks are in Voi, Machakos, Nyeri, Kericho, Kisii, Garissa, Meru and Kakamega.

Donated blood is screened at the main banks and redistributed to satellite banks.

In developing countries, women and children need blood most, especially during childbirth complications and malaria-caused anaemia.

More than half a million women die annually from complications during pregnancy and birth, with haemorrhaging accounting for 25 per cent of deaths.

Seventy per cent of blood transfusions in Africa are to children suffering from severe anemia due to malaria.