Residents of Mandera can now access safe and quality blood transfusion services
This is after the Ministry of Health opened a new blood satellite bank centre at the Mandera Referral Hospital.
The centre opened by health CS Susan Wafula, marks a significant milestone in improving access to quality health services in the region.
“We encourage all residents of Mandera to donate blood and develop a culture of blood donation,” the CS said.
“This is because blood donation is critical in ensuring that the blood bank is well-stocked and able to meet the needs of patients in the region,” she added.
Wafula emphasized that Universal Health Coverage is a key priority agenda for the President and the ministry is committed to its attainment, noting that the launch of the satellite blood bank centre is a step towards achieving this goal.
She reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting county governments in strengthening primary healthcare services while also building capacity for specialized care including critical care, renal and cancer services.
“The launch of the centre is part of this commitment, and the ministry will continue to support county governments by providing blood bags, testing reagents, and other necessities,” she said.
Also present was Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif.
Kenya has been struggling with a blood shortage. The country requires between 500,000 to one million units of blood a year, yet collects less than a quarter of that volume.
The Covid-19 pandemic worsened the shortage crisis as people shunned going to hospitals, coupled with the closure of colleges and schools.
With increased sustained nationwide blood donation drives, the collection has gone up to 384,000 units.
The availability of safe blood and blood products is a prerequisite for various health care services.
These include surgeries, treatments for cancer and other acute and chronic medical conditions, trauma care, organ transplantation, and childbirth: all lifesaving procedures.
