Residents of Homa Bay County have been asked to donate blood to boost the reserves in the county blood bank.
The County Chief Officer of Health, Kevin Osuri, said blood donation was crucial in the fight against maternal mortality.
Osuri said many cases of maternal mortality were caused by excessive haemorrhage, and there was need for sufficient blood reserves in the blood bank to assist in such emergencies.
He, however, commended the county blood bank officials for mobilising residents to donate blood, thus boosting reserves from zero to over 1,000 pints over the past two years.
“Some expectant mothers become anaemic during delivery and urgently require blood; such a mother is likely to die if she is not transfused,” Osuri said.
Dr. Osuri spoke at Homa Bay County Referral Hospital during a celebration to mark the recognition of Homa Bay County blood bank as the most improved in Kenya, according to the Kenya Blood Banking Management System, also known as Damu KE.
The Chief Officer said blood is very significant in supporting human health.
“Many cases of maternal mortality result from lack of blood. We always strive to ensure blood is available in our health facilities to prevent such deaths,” Dr. Osuri said.
Osuri hailed the milestones which the health department had made in improving blood donation in the county since early last year.
He said their many blood donors were students in learning institutions. The other sources include churches and volunteers who donate blood for their hospitalized kin.
“We intensified our efforts in blood donation when we came to office after elections, and this gave us recognition as the most improved blood bank in the last one year.” Osuri said.
Osuri, who was accompanied by Homa Bay Teaching and Referral Hospital Chief Executive Officer Stephen Stephen Okello, told residents to continue donating blood to enhance the constant supply of blood in the county’s health facilities.
“I acknowledge the efforts of our people and the county staff to boost blood donation. I urge our people to continue in that spirit to save lives,” Osuri said.
The Chief Officer demystified allegations that donating blood is harmful to the donor, saying it was absolutely safe.
“Let our people know that blood is given free of charge and is also donated for free. Therefore, let us continue to donate blood,” Osuri said.
By Daline Ochieng and Davis Langat
