The availability of blood is a cornerstone of modern healthcare, ensuring that facilities can provide comprehensive, effective, and timely care to patients in emergencies and across a wide range of other medical situations.

To enhance the supply capacity of Baringo Satellite Blood Bank, the department of Health Services is today finalizing a three-day donation drive in schools in Tiaty and Baringo South Sub Counties aimed at netting over 200 pints of blood.

The blood is expected to primarily benefit residents of Tiaty and Baringo South Sub Counties, who are affected by of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) or Kala-azar, Malaria and cases of severe malnutrition, which cause anemia thereby heightening supply needs in the region.

During the exercise, the County Blood Transfusion coordinator Micah Chebon called on residents to be regular donors to help patients that may be in need during accidents and traumas, and mothers during delivery.

The availability of blood within our facilities goes a long way in the management of situations where patients need it. It has helped us save lives and in eliminating referral cases that are made necessary because of lack of blood in our facilities. Chebon Said.

Baringo Satellite Blood Bank was established in 2022 and is located in Kaptimbor Health Center in Kabarnet.

FIND DX, a Non-Governmental Organization working to accelerate equitable access to reliable diagnosis around the world, supported the blood drive. The NGO has been instrumental in the implementation of interventions aimed at ending VL, a Neglected Tropical Disease in Kenya, with Baringo as one of the beneficiary.

Kala-azar, which is targeted by the World Health Organization for elimination by 2030 is the deadliest form of leishmaniasis, mainly affecting children and fatal in over 95% of cases if left untreated.