By Abdimalik Hajir - Reporter
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June 14, 2026 - Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Sunday launched the North Eastern regional blood transfusion centre in Garissa, a facility that will serve several counties across the region.
The CS said the centre will cover and support northern counties including Wajir, Mandera, Tana River, Isiolo, Lamu, and Kitui, emphasising the need to reduce maternal and child mortality rates in the country.
The centre, Duale said, will help eliminate the need to transport blood samples to Nairobi for screening and processing, noting that it will significantly reduce turnaround times, strengthen emergency response, and improve patient outcomes.
On his second day touring the county, the Health Cabinet Secretary also flagged off seven obstetric theatre beds donated by the World Health Organization (WHO), part of a consignment of 108 units being distributed across 15 counties to enhance emergency obstetric care and improve maternal health outcomes nationwide.
The CS was accompanied by the Ministry's Director for Kenya Blood Transfusion and Transplant Services Dr Martin Sirengo, the Ministry's Family Health Director Dr Bashir Issak, and Secretary Administration State Department for Public Health Adan Harakhe, at an event hosted by Garissa County Governor Nathif Jama alongside senior national and county officials.
"As we commemorate World Blood Donor Day, I want to thank all those who donated blood. Every unit of blood saves a life. It is the most precious resource in our healthcare system," Duale said.
The Health Cabinet Secretary said blood donation saves mothers experiencing childbirth, accident victims, children with severe anaemia, surgical patients, cancer patients, and others who depend on timely transfusion services.
On his part, Garissa Governor Nathif Jama said that in Kenya, and especially in arid and semi-arid regions, access to safe and adequate blood remains a challenge, adding that too many lives are lost because blood is not available when it is needed most.
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"That is why today is not just a celebration but a call to action. We must strengthen voluntary blood donation so that no life is lost due to shortages," he said.
The new facility at Garissa Referral Hospital, the governor said, will improve blood collection, testing, storage, and distribution, hence ensuring timely access to safe blood across the region.
The Health Cabinet Secretary also oversaw the distribution of portable machines to Ijara and Lafey in Mandera, meant to diagnose TB. The machines were part of 88 that have already been distributed to other health facilities across the country.
According to officials, the blood transfusion facility is equipped with modern screening technology and expanded storage capacity. The facility will support the processing of over 40,000 blood units annually, enhancing the region's preparedness to respond to medical emergencies and saving countless lives.