Several patients are stranded not knowing where to take their patients as blood shortage hits several hospitals in Kisii.
A spot check by our reporter has revealed that most blood Banks in various hospitals including that of Kisii Teaching and Referral had dried up.
Family members to one of the kidney patient admitted at one of the private hospitals in the town has had to request any member of the public with O negative to go donate blood for their kin.
The patient was due to start her dialysis but cannot make it due to her low blood levels.
Two of her family members donated some blood but was not enough to have her undergo dialysis.
Blood O negative is the universal group. Such a patient can only receive blood from the same group but can donate to any other blood group.
At the Aga Khan Hospital Kisii, the hospital management said they only have 50 pints and but they needy 200 more to run the facility without any hitches. They are currently selling a pint between Sh 2,000 and Sh5,000.
Patrobas Onchiri the in charge at Kisii Level Six Hospital blood bank says they have begun the blood collection exercise on Monday and were waiting for results.
The Country has been facing a blood shortage in the past three years. According to the World Health Organization, Kenya should be collecting at least one million units of blood every year.
However, in 2018/19 the Country collected 164,000 units. The Ministry of Health has attributed the low blood volumes to laxity among Kenyans to donate blood.
Today, a young mother Lilian Onyikwa resorted to her Facebook social media page to request for blood to save the life of her son admitted at Kenyatta National Hospital and in need of blood transfusion.
By Frank Akunga
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