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TESTIMONY FROM ASHA DAFALLA THE HIGHEST FEMALE BLOOD DONOR 2016.

My name is Asha M. Dafalla, A wife and a mother of three children. I am a community worker at Lavie Foundation, Nairobi. I first donated blood in 1981 when I was in Form 3, I lost consciousness after the blood donation and this kept me away from donating blood again until 1986. My friend and colleague back then, Madam Leah, requested me to accompany her to Mater hospital to donate blood for her brother who had been involved in an accident. My second donation experience was good and it opened my eyes on the importance of blood donation. I have been donating blood regularly since then, starting with once a year, twice and now am at three times a year. I have taken regular breaks when I am expectant and during breastfeeding periods. Donating blood makes me feel good knowing that I have saved lives with a priceless commodity, it gives me great satisfaction.

I got enrolled to the Text for Life platform which reminds me through text messages to my phone when I am due for the next donation. I also feel appreciated and encouraged when I receive a “Thankyou” message thanking me after donation.  “Happy birthday” messages makes me more elated.

My husband has now appreciated the importance of donating blood and now accompanies me for the blood donation sessions and he has since become a regular donor.  My 21 years old son has since become a regular blood donor since when he attained the age of 19. I have learnt that one needs to be healthy to ensure the safety of his or her blood.  I have so far donated 53 times.

I donate blood to give back to my community. I would urge all, men and women to ask themselves, “What did I do for my community”?

TABITHA’S SUCCESS STORY OF BLOOD TRANSFUSION.

Your Excellency, the first lady, MARGARET KENYATTA, the cabinet secretary ministry of health,
distinguished guests and all protocol observed, before you is Tabitha Muthoni.
I am 27years old. During my first pregnancy, I faced challenges and complications and I was transfused 12
units of blood before delivery. Having blood group O Negative was a challenge bearing in mind it’s a rare
blood group type. I was admitted at Kijabe Hospital. I thank the donors who donated blood and through the
help of National Blood Transfusion Services, I was able to get blood and had a successful delivery to a
baby boy prematurely at 7months.
The same case applied to my second born where this time it was more challenging because I could not carry
the unborn baby for 9months due to low Hemoglobin level. I was admitted at Kijabe Hospital and had to
go for an emergency caesarean section where the boy was delivered at 5months weighing 800gms. For this
time was transfused 25units of blood as my son was also transfused. I thank the almighty for having saved
our lives.
I take this opportunity that God has given me to thank all blood donors and let them know that by donating
blood you save a lot of lives. My special appeal is to all those who have blood group O Negative and are
medically fit to come out and donate blood to save a mother and to save a life.
I thank the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Services through the director Dr. MARGARET ODUOR for
their tireless efforts knowing that this facility have donated more than 100units of blood to me. They serve
all equally and friendly to a point that they travel many miles to get blood for the needy to save lives. Their
staffs under the Director of Nakuru Regional Blood Transfusion Center Mr. NICK KIPTANUI are kind
and aggressive as they carry out their duties to help save lives.
I appeal to the government and all relevant authority to put more effort and resources and add more facilities
to all donation centers so as to make their work easier in saving lives. Without blood there would be no life.
I appeal to the government and all relevant authority to put more effort and resources and add more facilities
to all blood donation centers so as to make their work easier in saving lives. Without blood there would be
no life.
Lastly I thank my mother for being so supportive for the many years I have been anaemic. I also thank My
husband for being there for me at all times.
My two sons, you are my strength. God bless Kenya and all donors.
As for today my Hemoglobin level stands at 7.0gms. Still we need you donors.
Your excellency the first lady MARGARET KENYATTA I take this chance on behalf of all mothers to
thank you for your tireless efforts to see that we live and get appreciated in the society as a mother who has
gone through disease challenges and the challenges ended with many transfusions.

RESPONSE BY THE KENYA NATIONAL BLOOD TRASFUSION SERVICE ON THE ALLEGED SALE OF BLOOD AT NAKURU PROVINCIAL GENERAL HOSPITAL. 2ND OCTOBER 2015.

RESPONSE BY THE KENYA NATIONAL BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE ON THE ALLEGED SALE OF BLOOD AT NAKURU PROVINCIAL GENERAL HOSPITAL. 2ND OCTOBER 2015.

The Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service (KNBTS) was established in the year 2001 as a Division in the Ministry of Health. The mandate of KNBTS is to collect, test, process and distribute blood and blood products to all transfusing hospitals in Kenya. The Division has six Regional Blood Transfusion Centres namely Nairobi, Embu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kisumu and Mombasa and 14 satellite stations that are located in Machakos, Kisii, Voi, Meru, Naivasha, Kakamega, Kericho, Nyeri, Garissa, Malindi, kitale, Thika, Bungoma and Lodwar.

The Daily Nation today carried a story alleging that blood is being sold at Nakuru Provincial General Hospital. While the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service does not have control over the usage of blood after it is dispatched to the various transfusing hospitals we feel that we have a huge stake in this unfolding story.

The alleged sale of blood is a very disturbing matter since it has the potential of stifling our activities since we rely 100% on voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors. If this continues the blood donors may turn their backs to us whenever we go out to mobilize them to donated blood.

It is important for all health workers who in their course of duty handle blood in one way or another to realize that it is a precious commodity and it has no substitute, their conduct therefore has serious repercussions   on the operations of the Kenya National Blood Service and indeed the entire blood sub – sector.

To our faithful blood donors we want to re-assure them that as a government agency that is charged with the mandate of blood management we are going to step up our vigilance in collaboration with the hospitals and other partners to ensure we are accountable in the use of this precious gift of life.

We urge the law enforcement officers to pursue the culprits in this matter and those found culpable to be prosecuted since sale of blood is illegal.

On the current shortage of blood we are now seeking alternative strategies of mobilizing blood donors from Colleges, Universities and Uniformed Services since our main blood donors who are secondary school students are still out of school. We envisage that normalcy will resume once the Teachers Service Commission and teacher’s stalemate is settled.

Our current blood reserves though minimal will keep us running until we can get enough. In the meantime we are moving blood units from areas where the supply is better to areas of shortage nationally. We however assure all Kenyans that there is no cause of alarm and no one will die on account of lack of blood.

Dr. Margaret Oduor

Director KNBTS

KENYA NATIONAL BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE, BLOOD DONATION CAMPAIGN 2014/2015.

Press release.

Embu

Embargo until- 17th December 2014 at 12.00 Noon;

KENYA NATIONAL BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE, BLOOD DONATION CAMPAIGN 2014/2015.

The Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service has initiated a nationwide blood donation campaign targeting the adult blood donors. The campaign that has been going on now for three months, it started in September this year in Nyeri County and will cover 11 counties in Kenya on a pilot basis and will later be rolled out in the remaining counties in the country.

The campaign has been necessitated by the perennial shortage of blood and blood products especially in the months of April, August and December when schools and other institutions of learning go on recess. A research conducted by KNBTS recently indicated that adult blood donors are more reliable and responsive than those in institutions since they do not go on holiday and in most cases they usually have a permanent address.

The Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service collected a total of 186,000 units of blood last year against a national requirement of 400,000 units. This under performance could be attributed to the poor blood donation culture among adult blood donors and in some instances gross lack of awareness among potential blood donors.

Blood donation apathy among adult donors has resulted to low collections while the same adult donors are the highest recipient of blood. There is therefore great need to create a culture of voluntary blood donation through constant engagement with the adult donors through information, education and communication.

In Kenya 2 of every 3 units of blood are transfused to mothers and children. It is unfortunate that Kenya has one of the highest maternal mortality rates worldwide at 488 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births,  that translates to about 20 women dying every day from child birth related complications. The leading cause of maternal mortality is bleeding just before or after childbirth or due to a miscarriage, induced abortions and other pregnancy related complications such as tubal pregnancy.

The demand for blood and blood product is on the rise owing to the sporadic terror attacks, road traffic injuries, cancer cases and anemia occasioned by Malaria and other medical conditions.

This campaign therefore will attempt to mitigate the current scenario in an effort to offer Kenyans a more secure treatment and most importantly to save lives.

It is envisaged that at the end of this campaign in the month of July 2015, the Kenya National blood transfusion service will have collected a total of 150,000 units of blood.

The campaign is in Embu today, and will go to Mwea on Sunday 21st December 2014 and later on monthly basis to, Kiambu, Nyandarua, Uasinigishu, Kajiado, Laikipia and Nairobi. This will happen on every third Sunday of the month. The campaign is sponsored by Royal Media Services’ Inooro FM, Rotary club of Kenya among others.

MARGARET ODOUR,

DIRECTOR KNBTS.

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