By TCD TEAM.
The Kitui CEC in charge of Health and Sanitation Dr Winnie Kitetu has called on Kitui residents to scale up voluntary blood donation in order to replenish the diminishing county blood reserves.
Speaking during commemoration of the World Blood Donor Day 2022 at Kitui County Referral Hospital, Kitetu regretted that Kitui blood bank reserves are below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations as per the latest statistics.
“Kitui county requires at least 12,000 units of blood annually to sufficiently cater to the blood needs of the residents. But the situation in the county is depressing,” she noted.
Dr. Kitetu revealed that the ministry only managed to collect 2,300 units in 2021 from volunteer donors, which is less than 25 percent while only 1,400 units of blood have been collected across the county since January 2022.
This year’s celebrations were marked under the theme “Donating blood is an act of solidarity, join the effort and save lives.”
The CEC said today’s fete was aimed at raising awareness about the need for safe blood products to save lives and draw attention to the roles that voluntary blood donation plays in saving lives and enhancing solidarity within communities.
Kitetu further urged Kitui residents to take advantage of the seven-day donation drives in the county adding that the Kitui Blood Transfusion Satellite officials will camp at Kitui Huduma Center to offer members of the public an opportunity to donate blood.
The drive has been sponsored by the Kenya Red Cross Kitui, Huduma Center Kitui, and Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service (KNBTS).
During the event, the ministry boss also unveiled a vehicle donated to Kitui Blood Transfusion Satellite by Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service (KNBTS).
The vehicle will enhance the mobility of the satellite personnel resulting in the enhanced provision of safe blood for all in an equitable, efficient, and effective manner.
The event was graced by various County Health Management Team (CHMT) officials including Neo-Natal and Child-health Coordinator Christine Sammy, County Medical Laboratory Coordinator Matthew Mutua, and KCRH Medical Superintendent Dr. Bradford Mutunga, among other healthcare officers.
Ends//