Thirty per cent of blood donated in Bungoma county is used by sickle cell anaemia patients, a transfusion services official has said.
Moses Mwetaya, in charge of the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Services in Bungoma, urged able-bodied wananchi to donate blood to save lives.
“We have many blood donation centres in Bungoma or you can visit Bungoma County Referral Hospital to donate blood, which will later save a life,” he said.
Mwetaya spoke on Wednesday during a blood donation drive organised by youths from the Emerging Elders Foundation to mark Youth Service Week.
The event was at Bumula Subcounty Hospital.
Mwetaya said Kanduyi, Kabuchai and Bumula are some of the areas with a high number of sickle cell patients.
He said the donated blood is given to sickle cell and malaria patients, accident victims, pregnant women in maternity wards, cancer patients and those undergoing surgery.
“We don’t just pick anybody to donate blood, there is a procedure that a donor follows and if he/she qualifies then he/she is given a chance to donate blood,” Mwetaya said.
The county's blood bank is located at the referral hospital as it is a central location, he said.
Mwetaya praised EEF for organising the drive and urged other organisations in Bungoma to emulate them.
He urged residents to disregard false information such as one can die or develop health complications if they donate blood.
“In any blood donation drive, health officials are always present to give guidance. Let’s avoid giving much attention to false information from people who don't understand,” Mwetaya said.
Brian Seli of EEF Bungoma Chapter told the press that the organization decided to hold the drive after realising that Bungoma needs more blood.
“This is not the first time we have done this exercise, we have done it in other parts of this great county and we still have schedules in other subcounty health facilities,” he said.
Their greatest challenge, Seli said, is few people turn up to donate blood.
He urged health officials to help educate the community on the importance of donating blood.
Edited by Josephine M. Mayuya
