Senate calls for urgent review of Kenya’s blood transfusion services
Legislators are now calling for urgent intervention to restore the country’s blood transfusion services and prevent further loss of lives.
Senators have raised the alarm over a severe blood shortage in hospitals across the country, warning that the crisis is endangering lives.
The Senate Committee on Health has now called for a comprehensive review of the state of blood transfusion services in Kenya, including an assessment of blood banks and the availability of critical laboratory reagents.
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On Thursday, Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu sought a Statement from the Senate Committee on Health, chaired by Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago, calling for an urgent intervention to avert the crisis.
Kavindu warned that the crisis persists despite years of warnings, raising concerns about the effectiveness of government interventions.
“The shortage of blood in our hospitals has persisted despite repeated warnings. It is time we get clear answers on the measures being taken by the Ministry of Health and the Kenya Blood Transfusion and Transplant Service to ensure a sufficient and consistent supply,” Kavindu said.
She also pointed to widespread myths and misinformation discouraging Kenyans from donating blood, urging the committee to outline public education strategies to dispel fears and encourage more donations.
Acute blood shortage
Her appeal follows a similar alarm raised by Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia over an acute shortage of blood testing kits.
Addressing the National Assembly, Kaguchia warned that the lack of essential laboratory reagents and blood bag kits at the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service (KNBTS) has led to the wastage of donated blood, further exacerbating the crisis.
“If this issue is not urgently addressed, it will severely impact the supply of screened blood across the country, putting lives at risk,” Kaguchia said.
He called for a report on immediate and long-term measures to ensure the uninterrupted provision of screened blood for transfusion.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula directed the Committee on Health to provide a response on the matter by April 1, 2025.
According to the Ministry of Health, Kenya previously collected 450 blood units daily before the emergence of Covid-19, but collections have since dropped to between 120 and 140 units per day. The demand for blood transfusion has risen due to population growth, increased road accidents, and the emergence of various diseases.
Curbing illegal human blood trade
Meanwhile, a proposed Bill seeks to impose severe penalties on individuals and organisations involved in the illegal trade of human blood in Kenya.
The Kenya National Blood Transfusion Bill proposes fines of up to Sh20 million or a 10-year prison sentence for offenders. The draft law, currently under review by the Parliamentary Budget Office, seeks to empower the Kenya Tissue and Transplant Authority (KTTA) to oversee and regulate blood donation, testing, processing, storage, transfusion, and quality control.
“A person shall not buy, sell, or deal directly or indirectly in blood transfusion, any organ or tissue for transplant, body parts for therapeutic purposes, medical education, or scientific research unless otherwise provided by regulations under this Act,” reads the Bill.
Despite requiring between 500,000 and one million blood units annually, Kenya collects only 150,000 to 200,000 units per year. The Bill also mandates informed consent for all health services involving donors or recipients, with exceptions requiring written authorisation or a court order.
A performance audit by the Auditor-General previously exposed inefficiencies in Kenya's blood transfusion services, including inadequate blood supplies and poor inventory management.
KTTA statistics also show that some blood collected in Kenya has been smuggled to neighbouring countries like Somalia, prompting ongoing investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) into possible medical professional involvement in the illegal trade.
To address these challenges, the Bill seeks to align Kenya’s blood transfusion practices with the World Health Organisation's (WHO) principles on human cell, tissue, and organ transplantation. It also proposes the establishment of a national organ donation registry to match donors and recipients based on medical criteria, particularly for those with complex immune systems.
The KTTA has also faced financial struggles due to insufficient government funding and reduced donor support, leaving regional blood transfusion centres understaffed and poorly equipped.
Legislators are now calling for urgent intervention to restore the country’s blood transfusion services and prevent further loss of lives.
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