The government through the Kenya Tissue and Transplant Authority (KTTA) has collaborated with the National Council for Ushirika Day Celebrations to tap into the large membership in the co-operative movement to boost blood donation.
KTTA Nairobi regional manager Festus Koech said that they have been receiving tremendous support from the government which has seen them get closer to reaching the annual target.
Koech, speaking on Thursday outside the Kenya National Archives where the National Council for Ushirika Day Celebrations were conducting a two-day blood donation drive, said that with the support from the government and collaboration with stakeholders, last year they achieved 81 percent of their target up from 48 percent the previous year.
“Our annual demand for blood stands at 530,000 units which is one percent of the population estimated to be 53 million Kenyans,” explained Koech.
“It is advised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that countries should collect blood that can cater for at least one percent of their population.”
According to Koech, last year they managed to collect 482,000 units of blood out of the targeted 530,000 and this is because of the efforts being put in place by the government, Cooperative Alliance of Kenya and many other organised groups who have made their calendar so busy.
Koech said that they are targeting getting 600 units of blood from the two-day drive at the Kenya National Archives.
National Council for Ushirika Day Celebrations chairman Macloud Malonza said that over the years they have been organising blood donation activities as part of their pre-events for the International Day for Cooperatives—Ushirika Day, which for this year will be held on July 6 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
“We are here to donate blood so that we can boost the country’s blood bank which is going to support the wellbeing of our nation,” said Malonza.
He explained that as Saccos they want to fulfil their corporate social responsibility (CSR) as he urged all Sacco members to turn out in large numbers and donate blood which will go a long way in saving the lives of those in need.
“We are working with the Red Cross and the Ministry of Health to conduct the blood donation drive,” said Malonza, adding that those who cannot make it to the Kenya National Archives can go to any blood donation sites close to them and conduct the noble exercise.
National Council for Ushirika Day Celebrations Vice Chairman Daniel Marube said that annually they collaborate with the Kenyatta National Hospital and co-operatives to donate blood so that they can supplement the country’s blood needs.
“This year we started at the Co-operative University of Kenya and I am glad that students from our premier university came in large numbers and donated their blood,” said Marube.
He explained that the purpose of their two-day blood donation drive at the Kenya National Archives is to educate and encourage Kenyans on the need to care for one another by donating blood.
Mr. Marube said that they received a big team of blood donors from CIC Insurance, Sheria sacco and several other co-operatives across Nairobi.
“Donating blood is a very important activity. As you know, we have many road accidents and diseases that require blood transfusion and it is important that we give blood to our friends, family and even people we don’t know but are in need,” said Marube.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
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