Garissa County marked the 2026 World Blood Donor Day celebrations with the successful collection of 350 pints of blood, a milestone hailed by local leaders as a demonstration of community solidarity and commitment to saving lives.
Garissa County Boda Boda Chairman Hussein Dekow praised residents who participated in the blood donation drive, saying the turnout reflected the power of voluntary blood donation in supporting healthcare services.
He was speaking during the commemorations held at Garissa High School under the theme “One Drop of Humanity: Give Blood, Save Lives.”
Hussein Dekow said blood remains an irreplaceable resource for treating mothers experiencing childbirth complications, children suffering from severe anaemia, accident victims, and patients undergoing surgery or cancer treatment.
The event coincided with the official launch of the Northern Regional Blood Transfusion Centre by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale at Garissa County Referral Hospital.
Duale also unveiled the Guidelines for the Appropriate Use of Blood, Blood Components and Blood Products, describing the new facility as a significant step toward strengthening healthcare delivery across North Eastern Kenya.
He said the centre will serve Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Tana River and parts of Isiolo and Kitui counties by bringing safe and timely blood transfusion services closer to patients.
“By eliminating the need to transport blood samples to Nairobi for screening and processing, the Centre will significantly reduce turnaround times, strengthen emergency response and improve patient outcomes,” Duale said.
Equipped with modern screening technology and expanded storage capacity, the facility is expected to process more than 40,000 blood units annually, enhancing the region’s ability to respond to medical emergencies and save lives.
The Cabinet Secretary also acknowledged the contribution of development partners who supported the establishment of the centre through a joint investment of approximately KSh 100 million.
He said the collaboration demonstrates a shared commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare services and improving the availability of safe blood for patients across the region.
