Busia journalists heed call, donate blood

Busia journalists on Friday volunteered to donate blood following a passionate appeal by Busia County Referral Hospital for at least 1,000 pints of blood to help save lives.

The members of the fourth estate suspended their duties to visit the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service, Busia Satellite centre, at the referral hospital to help boost the blood reserve which currently stands at zero.

Among those who donated blood include Frankline Bwire (Roya Media Services), Catherine Akuku (The Big Issue), Patrick Okumu (Emuria FM), Sellyne Wamala (KBC Channel One), Victor Odhiambo (Mayienga FM) and this writer.

Blood scarcity at the County Referral hospital has led to the death of about six people since April.

“The few number of people who volunteer to donate blood is attributed to lack of awareness on the importance of the exercise. We appeal to the County Government to set a date in each calendar year for residents to donate blood,” said Mr Bwire.

“I joined colleagues for the exercise to save a life and urge those who value the sanctity of human life to heed the hospital’s call to donate blood,” said Mr Okumu.

The blood centre manager David Bulimu thanked the journalists for being exemplary.

“Given the current crisis, I urge good Samaritans to emulate the example of the journalists and come to the County referral hospital to donate blood," he said.

He said the hospital needs all blood groups. Anybody can come and donate to help boost the hospital’s bank reserve.