Garissa launches massive blood drive to save lives, targets 3,000 residents
He also urged the business community to support the drive by contributing refreshments and stipends for health workers volunteering over the weekend.
Garissa is facing a critical shortage of blood, and residents are being urged to step up and save lives. A major two-day blood donation drive, dubbed “Garissa for Garissa: Donate Blood, Save a Life”, will take place this Friday and Saturday at Garissa Referral Hospital, with organisers calling on the public to turn out in large numbers.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Kenya Red Cross (Garissa Branch), Garissa Referral Hospital, Udgoon Foundation, and the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service, is targeting over 3,000 volunteers to help replenish the town’s dangerously low blood supplies.
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“Garissa’s blood banks are in crisis,” said Daud Ahmed, Kenya Red Cross Garissa Branch Coordinator. “Patients are suffering because hospitals often have no blood available, forcing desperate families to search for donors themselves.”
Abdinasir Ahmed Hussein, a community mobiliser donating blood during 2024 blood donation drive held in Garissa town. (Handout)
He stressed the importance of consistent donations, particularly in a region with a diverse population and wide-ranging healthcare needs. “This is about saving lives, not just during emergencies, but every single day.”
Community mobiliser Abdinassir Ahmed, popularly known as 77, echoed the call for collective responsibility.
He pointed to harmful myths and cultural fears surrounding blood donation as a major barrier, and called for more public education.
“Some still believe donating blood can make you ill. That’s simply not true. We need to debunk these misconceptions to end chronic shortages,” he 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 virtually painless. “If you’re eligible, your one donation could save multiple lives.”
The organisers are appealing to 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.
A similar event was held in August 2025 in Balambala Sub-County, and in 2024 at Ifo Refugee Camp and Garissa Town.
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