Garissa residents urged to donate blood to save lives

Garissa County Woman Representative Udgoon Siyad has called on residents to come out in numbers and donate blood to save lives.

Speaking when she led a blood donation drive in Garissa town on Monday, Siyad asked the residents to be donating blood regularly to ensure the blood bank is well equipped.

“We are donating blood to help mothers and any other person that will be brought to our local hospital needing blood transfusion,” she said.

“The blood bank at Garissa County Referral Hospital is dry but we have decided today to go out and donate blood so that we can have enough stock,” she added.

The event was organised by the Udgoon Foundation, an organisation associated with the County Woman Rep. Many residents turned up.

The Foundation partnered with the Garissa County Government, St Johns Ambulance and Garissa Youths Association for the exercise.

“This is not about politics but about helping our people who really need blood transfusion. We have to keep donating blood because you cannot tell who the patient is in need of blood,” Siyad said.

The Woman Rep pledged to ensure the blood donation culture is spread across Garissa county so that at least every subcounty participates.

Siyat Kunow, a football fanatic, commended the initiative and further urged residents to keep donating blood whenever they are required to save lives.

“Donating blood is very noble and a blessing since it is all about saving lives. I have been donating blood every year and I have remained healthy,” he said.