Residents of Turkana who are yet to donate blood in the ongoing blood-donation drive launched on November18, 2019 by the area Deputy Governor Peter Lotethiro at the Lodwar County Referral Hospital (LCRH) now have a chance to offer the life-saving gift after the drive was extended by a week.
The voluntary exercise organised by the Health Department in collaboration with Kenya Red Cross Society has so far managed to collect more than 60 pints of blood from the public.
Considering that the initial target was to collect more than 300 pints, the department has reached less than 30% of its target
The blood donation drive at LCRH ground under the theme “Calling on the Community: Increasing the Supply of Blood Units Available for Transfusion ” has been extended to November 28 to offer an opportunity for all the eligible donors to participate and make their contributions
So far, staff of the LCRH led by example by lining up as the first group of donors of the life saving product.
According to the coordinator of the Kenya National Blood Transfusion satellite centre in Lodwar Mr. Samwel Kapengi, donors benefit hugely by creating an opportunity for their bone marrows to produce more blood cells hence boosting their health
Mr. Kapengi said that the eligibility criteria for participating as a donor is informed by research and regulated by the World Health Organisation adding that any healthy person aged between 13 and 65 years qualifies as a donor.
Mr. Kapengi also added that the responsibility of ensuring that the county has sufficient supply of blood items lies with public and is better exercised by regular participation in such drives as donors.
The coordinator extended his personal appreciation and of the ministry of health to the staff of Kilimanjaro Supermarket led by its CEO Mr. Emmanuel Ngure ( Manu) for taking part in the exercise and committing to educate their clients on the benefits of donating blood on a regular basis
The extension is intended to provide an opportunity to all other corporate bodies, private businesses and the entire population of Turkana as well as individuals to participate.
Individuals are therefore asked to create time and take part in saving the lives of fellow human beings by donating blood.
It is expected that today will be unique since the entire staff of Kenya Airports Authorities as well as flight agents have offered to take part as from 10am.
Measures have been put in place to serve the team who will also be attending with their friends and family members to boost the supply.
By Peter Gitonga
