Wajir residents urged to donate blood to save lives amid shortage.

Wajir residents have been encouraged to donate blood often to help patients in need of transfusion.

The county has been grappling with a severe scarcity of blood and blood products, putting at risk vulnerable groups, including expectant mothers and Kala-azar patients who depend on timely transfusions. 

On Saturday Wajir governor’s spouse Rukia Maalim Kahiye visited the Wajir Satellite Blood Transfusion Center where she led the blood donation exercise rallying residents to support the life-saving initiative.

She said the single act of kindness of donating blood could save a life.

"Our people should adopt the practice of donating blood often instead of waiting for a whole year to do it. As we are aware Blood is a lifeline for many mothers, children, and patients battling with serious illness,”.

She added: "We all need to stick together and help each other. If you give to others, it will come back multiple times. By donating blood, you become healthier and save lives. It could be that of your mother, father, sister or a close relative,”.

In a statement the county government said its Satellite Blood Transfusion Center that remains open from Monday to Saturday, from 8.Am to 6:30 ,PM to receive blood donors.

According to the County government the severe blood and blood products scarcity puts at risks vulnerable groups, including expectant mothers and Kala-azar patients who depend on timely transfusions.

The shortage of blood is reported a time when the county is still struggling with the Kala azar outbreak that claimed more than 20 lives and infected more than 500 patients since September 2024.

Last month during the kenya Red Cross society-North Eastern branch made a clarion call to residents to make it a habit  of voluntarily donate blood.

Fatuma Mohamed,35 a social health worker and one of those who volunteered to donate blood said voluntary blood donation preserved the spirit of solidarity and that it was the best form of charity.

“By donating blood, you become healthier and save lives. It could be that of your mother, father, sister or a close relative.so let us all embrace the culture of donating blood,” she said.

Speaking to the press after holding a procession to mark 60 years of humanitarian action, Hassan Musa, KRC North Eastern region head said that many lives that would have otherwise have been saved are lost because the victim or patient lacked blood.

"By donating blood, we give back to society in the form of saving lives, not just of people that you know, but those in dire need of help," Musa said.

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