Kenya Redcross Society Secretary General- Abass Gullet

Multi-Choice Director – Simon Kariithi

Distinguished blood donors,

Invited guests,  

The Media

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to be part of this event that seeks to mobilize blood donors to donate blood during the Bleed for the Throne blood donation drive.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service (KNBTS) was established in the year 2000 under the Ministry of Health. Its mandate is to collect, test, process and distribute blood and blood products to all transfusing hospitals in Kenya. KNBTS has six Regional Blood Transfusion Centres namely Nairobi, Embu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kisumu and Mombasa and 21 satellite stations.

 

The satellite stations are located in Thika, Meru, Nyeri, Garrisa, Kitale, Lodwar, Bungoma,Busia,Migori,Kisii,Kericho,Narok,Nandi,Machakos,Voi,Malindi,Lamu,Kitui, Wajir,Naivasha and  Kwale.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today is yet another day when we are celebrating solid partnership with the Kenya Red Cross Society and Multi-Choice in our endeavor to alleviate human suffering through blood donation.  Blood collection is what we do on 24/ 7 basis and we are happy to have new partners like Multi-Choice who I believe are coming in to support a blood donation activity for the first time.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In Kenya 2 of every 3 units of blood are transfused to mothers and children. It is however depressing to note that Kenya has one of the highest maternal mortality rates worldwide at 362 maternal deaths per 100,000 births that translates to about 20 women dying every day from childbirth-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.

 

It is important to note that about 60% of the blood collected by the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service is transfused to mothers and children. Every 10 minutes about 7 Kenyans need blood and are at risk of dying if it is not available.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen ,

Kenya needs about 450,000 units of blood annually, last year the Kenya National Blood Transfusion service collected a total of 164,275 units of blood, representing 91.3% of the annual target of 180,000 units. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) standard for Kenya to claim blood sufficiency we need at least 1% of the 45 million Kenyans to donate blood once in a year, this would give us 450,000 units of blood.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Kenya national blood transfusion service is working with various stakeholders and development partners to address blood shortage and to seek more innovative strategies for sustainable supply for safe and adequate blood for transfusion.  I am happy to note that the Kenya Red Cross have been supportive especially during the two recent events including Dusit2 terror attack in Nairobi and the show your love blood donation campaign last month.

 

Currently we are serving 500 transfusing hospitals nationally with blood and blood products. These facilities are public, private and faith based. We have also stepped up our haemovigilance capacity to guarantee safety from our end and to the facility.

 

I am reliably informed that this blood donation drive is targeting to collect at total of 1,000 units of blood in the two days, lets us all join hands by mobilizing donors and also by rolling up our sleeves to donate for the greater common good for our people.

 

Finally Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to appreciate blood donors, development partners and stakeholders who have over the years stood with us in our effort of improving access to health care for Kenyans. We once again appreciate the Kenya Red Cross and Multi-choice for their kind gesture today.

 

Thankyou.