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Day: July 4, 2023

Press Release: Kenya Marks World Blood Donor Day with Calls For More Donors

Kenya Marks World Blood Donor Day with Calls For More Donors

Nairobi, June 14, 2023: The Kenya Tissue and Transplant Authority (KTTA) joined its partners and Kenyans in general to celebrate this year’s World Blood Donor Day (WBDD). The day, marked annually on June 14th, is promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The event, which was this year hosted at Ihura Stadium in Murang’a County, serves to acknowledge voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood, raise awareness about the need for regular voluntary blood donations, and finally, remind people around the world who are alive thanks to blood donation about the key role selfless blood donors have played in their wellbeing.

The theme for the WBDD for 2023 is “Give Blood, give plasma, share life, share often”. During the celebration, the guests also witnessed the launch of Murang’a County Blood Satellite and the commissioning of an Oxygen Plant to adequately serve the county’s ICU patients.

Speaking at the World Blood Donor Day celebrations, Ms. Nakhumicha Susan, the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Health, said the day is marked to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood, adding that the event also aims to raise awareness about the need for regular blood donations to ensure that all individuals and communities have access to affordable and timely supplies of safe and quality-assured blood and blood products.

“We have come together to honor and celebrate our heroes – the individuals and Institutions who have selflessly donated their blood to save lives. These heroes embody the true spirit of humanity, demonstrating compassion, generosity, and a commitment to the well-being of others,” said Ms. Nakhumicha.

“Among these heroes, I would like to single out two exceptional individuals whose contributions to blood donation have been truly remarkable. First, let us recognize Kennedy Sanya, Kenya’s highest male blood donor. Kennedy has selflessly donated blood a remarkable 102 times.”

Ms. Nakhumicha also took the opportunity to bid farewell to Aisha Dafalla, who is retiring from her Whole Blood donation after an incredible 76 donations. Aisha will now commit to sharing Plasma and Platelets.

The CS also acknowledged and thanked the country’s partners in its blood donation journey, singling out the diplomatic missions of Hungary, as well as the World Bank through its C-HERP program; the Kenya Red Cross, the Rotary Club and the St. John’s Ambulance teams which have played a significant role in ensuring the availability and safety of blood and blood products.

In his address, Dr. Wakwabubi M. N., the acting CEO, of KTTA, said that this year’s WBDD theme of “Give Blood, give plasma, share life, share often” is fitting as KTTA and its partners are launching the Murang’a County Blood Satellite which is a significant step towards bringing services closer to the people so that they can give blood, give plasma, share life, and share often.

“The availability and accessibility of safe blood and blood products are crucial. Blood transfusions are essential for various medical procedures, such as surgeries, trauma care, cancer treatment, childbirth, and managing certain diseases,” noted Dr. Wakwabubi.

“Blood is an essential service in hospitals, and plays a pivotal role in ensuring quality healthcare and saving lives. With the dedication of our voluntary blood donors, cancellations in operating theaters due to blood shortages have become increasingly rare. We have also witnessed a remarkable reduction in maternal deaths. When blood is readily available, hospitals function optimally, enabling the delivery of a wide range of healthcare services and contributing to the realization of UHC’s vision.”

In order to ensure the availability of sufficient blood for the country’s healthcare facilities, the government has increased its budgetary allocations to the KTTA. However, despite the increase in funding for KTTA operations, the demand for blood has also significantly risen, with blood collection growing from 130,000 units to 400,000 units, meaning that the available funding is still insufficient to adequately finance the authority’s operations.

Expressing a more positive stance, CS Nakhumicha said: “Looking ahead, in the upcoming fiscal year, it is expected that Kenya will achieve the World Health
Organization’s target of 1% of the population voluntarily donating blood. The government recognizes the importance of this achievement and is actively facilitating the necessary measures to make it a reality.”

During the event, various categories of individuals and institutions were recognized for the Gift of Life award ceremony. They were recognized for making a difference through regular blood donations, creating awareness campaigns, and mobilizing their communities to contribute regularly. Ends…//

 

About Kenya Tissue and Transplant Authority (KTTA):

Kenya Tissue and Transplant Authority, the successor to the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service, is a parastatal established in August 2022 under the Ministry of Health. It has the mandate to oversee, supervise and coordinate the collection and distribution of safe blood and blood products in Kenya. It also develops relevant policies, regulations, and guidelines for the availability of safe and equitable tissue, organs, and regenerative medicine therapies. The vision of KTTA is to make Kenya self-sufficient in safe and quality blood, tissues, and human organs.

 

Press Release: KTTA & KNH mark World Transplant Day

KTTA & KNH mark World Transplant Day

Nairobi, June 6, 2023: World Transplant Day (WTD) celebration takes place on 6th June every year. The day is promoted by the World Health Organization and the National Transplant Organization serves as a reminder that there are thousands of people around the world who are alive thanks to organ transplants.

This day was commemorated by the Ministry of Health through Kenya Tissue and Transplant Authority and Kenyatta National Hospital together with families of recipients and donors.  Activities included panel discussions, speeches, and testimonials of success stories from both donors and recipients.

KTTA works in partnership with organizations such as development Partners, Private practitioners, and facilities, Medicals Associations of experts within the Transplant Space e.g.   Kenya Renal, Hematology, Oncology, and Public Hospitals facilities such as KNH & MOI Teaching & Referral Hospital, all formed part of efforts to ensure that the country has adequate and is self-sufficient in safe and quality blood, a major requirement during medical emergency situations.

World Transplant Day (WTD) is marked every year to celebrate those who were given a second opportunity at life through the organ donation of a selfless individual. The day serves as a reminder that there are thousands of people around the world who are alive thanks to organ transplantation.

Representing the State Department of Medical Services, Mr. Harry Kimtai, the Principal Secretary, Dr. Zeinab Gura, Ag. Deputy Director General of Health was speaking during the Celebration at the Kenyatta National Hospital Grounds to mark World Transplant Day, and took the opportunity to acknowledge the theme Hope for Tomorrow; Transforming lives through organ donation.

Said Dr. Gura, “The government acknowledges the utmost significance of organ donation and transplantation in preserving and enhancing lives. The year 2022 marked a significant milestone as the government initiated the establishment of the Kenya Tissue and Transplant Authority and the Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) typing laboratory at Kenyatta National Hospital. The establishment of the HLA laboratory has ensured the accessibility and affordability of this service for transplant patients in need. This shows proof of commitment by the government to transplant services.”

Ministry of Health and Kenya Tissue and Transplant Authority are on course to develop a comprehensive framework of policies and guidelines to ensure quality and ethical practices whilst safeguarding the rights and well-being of both donors and recipients as well as families and communities. Our commitment remains resolute to creating an environment that enforces good governance and supports effective and efficient regulation of organ donation and transplant in the country.

From a population of 52,214,791 people, studies indicate that approximately 5 million Kenyans have some form of chronic kidney disease with a significant proportion expected to progress to kidney failure. Specifically, the estimated number of patients with End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) who require renal replacement therapy (kidney transplants) is 12,500.

By October 2022, 6,300 patients (or about 50% of estimated Kenyans with kidney disease) were undergoing chronic hemodialysis treatments.

Even though a majority of kidney patients opt for dialysis treatment due to various factors, the number of transplants in the country is still quite low. From 2012 to 2022, only 708 kidney transplants were done in Kenya. In 2021, only 160 kidney transplants versus 5,700 patients who were on hemodialysis gave a transplant conversion rate of 2.8% against a rate of approximately 10% that has been observed globally.

Kidney transplant is always preferred for patients who are eligible for such procedures as it overall improves patients’ quality of life, and productivity and can increase life expectancy by up to 20 years.

Apart from kidney cases, an estimated 75,000 people need corneal transplants with over 1,000 documented patients on the waiting lists across the various eye hospitals in the country awaiting corneal transplantation. In 2021, about 400 corneal transplant surgeries were successfully conducted in Kenya.

Just like with kidney transplants, the facilities conducting corneal transplants are unable to meet the patient’s demand due to the limited number of tissues procured. KTTA is determined to inculcate a donation culture among the people to enable them to attain a perpetual annual collection of blood and including organ donations.

KTTA conducts Blood donation drives and campaigns regularly throughout the year. In February this year, the agency together with partners organized and hosted the #ShowYourLoveSaveaLife blood donation campaign at JKUAT to coincide with the Valentine’s Day celebrations on February 14, 2023.

The #ShowYourLoveSaveaLife blood donation campaign was a week-long exercise aimed to mobilize the public to come forward and donate blood, and also to increase public awareness of the importance of donating blood. The blood donation drives targeted young adults aged between 18 to 35 years

Ends…//

 

About Kenya Tissue and Transplant Authority (KTTA):

Kenya Tissue and Transplant Authority, the successor to the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service, is a parastatal established in August 2022 under the Ministry of Health. It has the mandate to oversee, supervise and coordinate the collection and distribution of safe blood and blood products in Kenya. It also develops relevant policies, regulations, and guidelines for the availability of safe and equitable tissue, organs, and regenerative medicine therapies. The vision of KTTA is to make Kenya self-sufficient in safe and quality blood, tissues, and human organs.

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