Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr. Ouma Oluga, has called for strategic reforms in Kenya’s blood transfusion and transplant services to ensure the availability of safe blood products, a key component in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and reducing maternal mortality.
In his meeting with the Kenya Blood Transfusion and Transplant Services (KBTTS), Dr. Oluga stressed the importance of efficient planning, optimized supply chains, and modernized equipment to guarantee a reliable blood supply nationwide. He also urged the team to prioritize public trust and work together toward a common goal.
Dr. Oluga emphasized that while operational and infrastructure challenges persist, strategic use of resources, strengthening policy frameworks, and building partnerships with external organizations will be crucial to advancing the sector.
The Directorate of Blood Transfusion and Transplant Services has made significant progress, with a successful transition from whole blood to blood components and the ongoing digitization of blood management through Damu-KE. This effort will ensure that all 47 counties can effectively process and store blood.
In the past financial year, the directorate surpassed its target, collecting 449,000 units of blood and components.
Dr. Patrick Amoth, Director General for Health, applauded the achievement and emphasized the importance of partnerships, resource mobilization, and expediting the Blood Transfusion Bill.
