Partners in Garissa county have organised massive blood donation drive to address shortage.
The two-day drive is led by the Kenya Red Cross Society Garissa branch, Garissa County Referral Hospital, Udgoon Foundation and the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service.
The 'Garissa for Garissa' drive saw hundreds turn up to replenish the town's dangerously low blood supplies with 50 pints donated.
Daud Ahmed, Kenya Red Cross Garissa branch coordinator, said voluntary blood donation preserved the spirit of solidarity and that it was the best form of charity.
Ahmed while thanking all those who volunteered to donate, stressed the importance of consistent blood donations, especially in a region with a diverse population and wide-ranging healthcare needs.
“I want in a very special way to single out the Kenya Red Cross Society volunteers who are always on the front line to donate in every blood donation drive. We all need to stick together and help each other. If you give to others, it will come back multiple times,” he said.
He raised concern over the unavailability of blood in hospitals, urging residents to adopt the practice of donating blood often.
“Garissa’s blood banks are in a crisis. Patients are suffering because hospitals often have no blood available, forcing desperate families to search for donors,” Ahmed said.
He said by donating blood, one gives back to society in the form of saving lives.
A volunteer donates blood at the Garissa County Referral Hospital on Saturday.
KRCS in partnership with other organisations, does blood donation drives every quarter.
According to statistics at the Garissa County Referral Hospital, pregnant mothers and road accident victims formed the largest segment
of patients in need of blood in local hospitals.
Community mobiliser Abdinassir Ahmed said there is need for collective responsibility.
He cited harmful myths and cultural fears around blood
donation as a major barrier and called for more public education.
“Some still believe donating blood can make you sick. That’s
simply not true. We need to debunk these misconceptions to end chronic blood
shortages,” Ahmed said.
He also urged the business community to support the drive by
contributing refreshments and stipends for health workers volunteering over the
weekend.
Abdinassir reassured potential donors that the process is
safe, quick and nearly painless. “If you’re eligible, your one donation could
save multiple lives.”
The organisers are urging all Garissa residents to show
up, roll up their sleeves and be heroes.
“Together, we can make sure no patient ever suffers—or dies—because of a lack of blood,” said Abdinassir.
