County to put up blood bank to reduce deaths
An Egerton University student donates blood at Nyayo Garden in Nakuru County on December 7, 2013. Marsabit county will soon establish a blood bank. FILE PHOTO
What you need to know:
- County health facilities including Marsabit County Referral Hospital have been relying on hospitals outside the region such as Meru and Nairobi for blood.
Thirty four mothers died during delivery in Marsabit County last year due to lack of a blood bank, county Health Executive Stephen Labarakwe has said.
The minister said the county government now intends to construct a blood bank at a cost of Sh16 million.
County health facilities including Marsabit County Referral Hospital have been relying on hospitals outside the region such as Meru and Nairobi for blood.
Speaking during a maternal health forum in Marsabit town on Thursday, Mr Labarakwe said the modern facility will be put up in Moyale town in two months’ time.
“We have set aside some funds to build a blood bank that will serve the neighbouring Wajir County and Ethiopia.
“We don’t want our mothers to die again for lack of blood transfusion and blood bank. Once we have the facility, we will ensure its replenished often to ensure our mothers and children live,’’ said Mr Labarakwe.
He added the facility will have equipment to test, screen and store blood.
“We have chosen to build the blood bank in Moyale because there is a huge population from the county who can donate blood,” said the executive.
