Residents of Kenya’s North eastern and parts of the Eastern region are set to benefit from improved access to blood transfusion services following the official opening of the Garissa Regional Blood Transfusion Centre.
Previously, blood collected in the region had to be transported to Nairobi for testing and screening, a process that often-caused delays, especially during emergencies when timely access to safe blood was critical.
Speaking during the commissioning of the facility, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale described the centre as a major milestone in strengthening healthcare services in the region. He said the facility would significantly reduce turnaround times, improve emergency response, and enhance patient outcomes.
Duale reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that no life is lost due to a lack of access to safe blood for transfusion.
The centre has the capacity to store more than 600 units of blood and is expected to strengthen regional preparedness while ensuring a reliable supply for hospitals and emergency situations.
Garissa Governor Nathif Jama welcomed the development, noting that the facility will improve blood collection, testing, storage, and distribution across the region. He also called for increased voluntary blood donation campaigns to prevent shortages that could put lives at risk.
