This archive report was first published on 6 December 2019.
Kenya's blood bank crisis has left hospitals in Nyanza and Coast regions struggling to provide blood transfusions, with some patients dying due to the shortage.
Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki has dispatched a team to assess the situation and determine the root cause of the crisis.
According to records, 30 patients have died at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in the past five days due to the shortage of blood.
Doctors at the hospital have warned that the situation may worsen in the coming days unless the county and national governments step in to save the situation.
The hospital is also facing a shortage of basic items like blood bags, drugs, vital laboratory test kits, and reagents, which has compounded the crisis.
Health CS Kariuki said she is aware of the shortage and has been following up the matter, but will have to get back on it by the end of the week as she awaits the report from the team on Friday.
She also denied reports that the crisis is due to donor funds cut, saying the government has always stepped in to fill the shortage in terms of resources.
Ms Kariuki was speaking during the signing of the 2019/2020 performance contracts with parastatals and regulatory bodies under the Ministry of Health.
Published on December 6, 2019.
