PROGRESS IN BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICES IN KENYA FROM THE 1980’S: A REVIEW

Abstract

Background: Provision of safe and adequate supplies of blood is dependent on a
well organised blood transfusion service with dedicated well-trained manpower and
resources for the service.
Objective: To provide an overview of the evolution of blood transfusion services in
Kenya, from the 1980s to date.
Data sources: Various Government of Kenya publications and websites on blood
transfusion related issues. Publications and websites of stakeholders including donors
and other partners as well. Personal experience - the author has been in national blood
transfusion administration for over five years.
Data selection: Data related to blood transfusion in Kenya on websites and publication
were scrutinised.
Data extraction: All selected articles were read.
Data synthesis: All the collected data together with the author’s experience were used
for this publication.
Conclusion: As part of the effort by the Ministry of Health to reform the health sector,
there was need to reorganise departments and divisions within the Ministry. The
reorganisation of the blood transfusion service was one such consideration and it
was hoped that following this change, there would be better, safer and more efficient
provision of blood for transfusion service snation wide. This article documents the
evolution of blood transfusion services from the early 1980s to date.