Kenyans have been urged to donate blood as it helps improve emotional and physical health.
The Kenya Tissue and Transplant Authority (KTTA) has said that helping others through blood donation can help reduce stress, get rid of negative feelings, provide a sense of belonging and reduce isolation.
The authority has dismissed as fictitious reports that one risks contracting diseases after donating blood.
“Blood donation is safe for healthy adults. There is no risk of contracting any disease since new sterile equipment is used for each donor,” a statement from the agency reads.
To avert any possibility of such cases, the authority says, it has in place necessary measures which include testing for hepatitis B, C, HIV and syphilis.
A health screening to check pulse, blood pressure, body temperature and haemoglobin levels is conducted on anyone intending to give blood, the statement says.
“This free mini-physical can offer excellent insight into your health... It can effectively detect problems that could indicate an underlying medical condition or risk factors for certain diseases,” it states.
The agency replaced the National Blood Transfusion, Tissue and Human Organ Transplant Services department.
Its main functions are to regulate all services relating to human cells, tissue and organ transplant in accordance with the Health Act, 2017.
It is also tasked with registering and licensing facilities and establishments dealing with human cells, tissues, organs and transplant services and to maintain a registry of transplant service providers, donors and recipients.
