This archive report was first published on 11 September 2019.
Kenya is facing a looming blood crisis, with the country's blood stocks reportedly running dry. According to Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki, the situation is critical, and urgent remedial measures are needed to prevent a compromise in the country's emergency response.
Every 10 minutes, approximately seven Kenyans need blood, putting them at risk of dying. To address this challenge, the government is mulling the implementation of a monthly routine blood drive program to boost the country's blood stocks.
Speaking during the launch of a national blood drive, courtesy of the world's highest blood donor, Arjun Mainali, Kariuki emphasized that the country is below the World Health Organization's blood storage levels recommendation. She appealed to the public and corporates to step up and donate blood to save lives.
“Every 10 minutes we have a Kenyan in need of blood. We can save Kenyan's lives if we consistently give blood,” Sicily Kariuki said in a tweet.
As part of the efforts to ensure sustainability in the blood bank, the Ministry of Health plans to implement routine blood drives through increased public awareness. A robust legislative and regulatory framework will also be developed to strengthen the blood transfusion governance structures and facilitate steady availability of the country's blood needs.
