Kericho residents turned out in large numbers Tuesday at the Kericho County Referral Hospital Blood Transfusion Centre to donate blood as an act of love during this year’s Valentine’s day.
The Kenya Red Cross Society members gifted blood donors with rose flowers as an appreciation to them for their kind act of donating blood which will eventually save the lives of those who are in dire need of it.
Speaking to KNA, the hospital’s medic Dr. David Langat called on healthy members of the public between the ages of 16 to 55 to participate in blood donation exercises at health facilities near them.
Langat said there is always a constant need for a regular supply of blood since it can be stored only for a limited period of time before use.
“I encourage people of goodwill to donate blood as it has multiple health benefits, such as balancing iron levels in the blood, reducing the risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular accidents, among others,” said Langat
Kenya Red Cross Society Kericho County Coordinator Siphia Tuei said they partnered with the Ministry of Health and Blood Transfusion Service to sensitize not only the members of the public but also students on the significance of donating blood.
“According to the Ministry of Health, the blood bank in Kericho county is low and that is why we are calling on volunteers to donate blood this entire month to save lives,” added Tuei.
According to the World Health Organization, blood transfusion saves lives and improves health, but many patients requiring transfusion do not have timely access to safe blood.
By Kibe Mburu and Sindy Moraa
